Gillette College to Host UW Seminar on Energy Innovations in Ranching

On Monday, March 18, the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources will facilitate a seminar on energy innovations hosted by Gillette College.

A large tubular machine with pipes and dials coming out of it next to a small shed. In the foreground, the landscape is flat with dead grass; in the background, there are mountains. The air is hazy. — Energy infrastructure in the red desert.

“The intent of this seminar is to illustrate how energy exploration can coincide with agriculture production,” says Randall Violett, associate director of UW’s Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership (RMAL) program. “Understanding of collaboration on land use can typically benefit everyone.”

Accordingly, the speakers for the event represent a wide range of experience in various energy and agricultural fields. Fred Eden is the senior land manager at Peabody Investment Corp., a leading coal producer. Jaycie Burch is a staff landman at Western Midstream, LLC, a company that transports natural gas. Don Schramm is a land operations manager with Rock Springs Grazing Association and has several decades of experience with the Bureau of Land Management. Randall Luthi is a rancher and chief energy adviser to Governor Mark Gordon. Finally, Representative Eric Barlow (Campbell County District 23) has a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Colorado State University and works as a rancher as well.

The seminar is the second in UW’s 2024 Ranching in the West seminar series, which partners with community colleges across the state to provide relevant, meaningful information about ranching and land management to students and agricultural professionals.

The event begins at 5 p.m. in Gillette College’s Technical Education Center. It will also be available via Zoom. For community members and students not seeking academic credit, the cost is $25 per session. Dinner is provided. To register, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwag/rmal.

Following the event in Gillette, UW will host two additional seminars this spring, available in person and via Zoom. Topics, dates and locations are below. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwag/rmal.

Leading the Field: Family-Run Businesses, Industry and Community Leadership – April 1, Northwest College, Powell, 5-7:30 p.m.
Navigating Western Waters: Addressing Water Challenges in the Western Region – April 22, University of Wyoming Gateway Center, Laramie, 9:00-3:00 p.m.