Key Takeaways
- Noble Research Institute, in partnership with Kansas State University and Hy-Plains Feedyard, has launched a three-year educational program focused on sustainable grazing in the Flint Hills region.
- The initiative includes the development of an educational curriculum, grazing support tools, and hands-on workshops.
- Funded by a $998,195 USDA grant, the program includes scholarships for eligible participants through the Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition.
- The Noble Grazing: Flint Hills Series offers three focused courses between May and September 2025, with a cohort-based format.
- The series is tailored to support new and beginning land managers, including those from tribal communities in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Noble Research Institute Supports Regional Grazing Education
Flint Hills Program Promotes Soil Health and Forage Management
The Noble Research Institute, a nonprofit agricultural education and research organization based in Oklahoma, has partnered with Kansas State University and Hy-Plains Feedyard to deliver a new educational series for ranchers in the Flint Hills, a key tallgrass prairie region in the U.S.
The initiative, known as the Noble Grazing: Flint Hills Series, is designed to help ranchers and landowners improve pasture utilization, avoid overgrazing, and apply conservation-focused strategies to enhance both productivity and environmental outcomes.
“The Flint Hills region is one of the most important resources the livestock industry has for long-term forage-based beef production,” said Josh Gaskamp, associate director of outreach and partnerships at Noble Research Institute.
Noble Research Institute’s Program Structure and Target Audience
Courses Emphasize Grazing Decisions, Business Planning, and Adaptive Management
The three-course series, priced at $585, will launch in May 2025 in Council Grove, Kansas, with the following sessions:
- Noble Grazing Essentials (May 20–22): Introduces soil health principles and forage strategies using ranch-specific maps and data.
- Business of Grazing (July 22–24): Focuses on aligning grazing decisions with business goals and making cost-effective infrastructure investments.
- Grazing Plan Workshop (September 9): Combines technical and business planning into a practical session on building adaptive grazing plans.
Each year, 35 participants will be selected to attend the full series, with priority given to early-career land managers and Native American tribal members in the region.
Research and Funding Support
Grant-Backed Collaboration Offers Scholarships and Field-Based Learning
The project is supported by a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service grant of nearly $1 million, enabling the development of education resources and funding for scholarships. The Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition will contribute local expertise and host participants at its annual range academies.
Hy-Plains Feedyard, located in the Flint Hills, will serve as a research and training site to complement Noble Research Institute’s curriculum with applied learning experiences.
