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CSU Extension - Park County

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CSU Extension - Park County

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09/25/2026

Park County, Colorado, is home to over 200 ranches and livestock producers. But without a landfill within the county's limits, cattle producers are often challenged with how to properly dispose of carcasses. A task Colorado State University researchers hope composting efforts can serve as an intervention method.

Alongside technical experts from Montana State University and Texas A&M University, researchers are observing the possible application of composting in Madison Valley, Montana. Linda Owens, Project Director of the Madison Valley Ranch Lands Group, and Mihail Kennedy, Production Manager at B Bar Ranch, are working alongside CSU at a two-acre carcass composting facility and cattle ranch in the valley to explore the possible applications of the practice in Park County and beyond.

"Every pound of beef that leaves the land takes nutrition and takes minerals and nutrients from the land," Kennedy said. "And so this was how we want to do this, to close that loop. It's really important to us that we're stewarding this land in a responsible manner and growing it."

Edited and Produced by: Barnfly Productions

09/23/2026

Park County, Colorado, is home to over 200 ranches and livestock producers. But without a landfill within the county's limits, cattle producers are often challenged with how to properly dispose of carcasses. A task Colorado State University researchers hope composting efforts can serve as an intervention method.

Alongside technical experts from Montana State University and Texas A&M University, researchers are observing the possible application of composting in Madison Valley, Montana, and how it can be applied back in Park County. Mihail Kennedy, Production Manager at B Bar Ranch, is working alongside the researchers to see the direct impacts this practice can have on cattle producers.

"We sell beef," Kennedy said. "So every pound of beef takes nutrition and takes minerals and nutrients from the land. I see the cattle as a tool for regenerating."

Since implementing the composting program in the facility, Kennedy has observed the ranch's grass growing thicker and taller. Plants that have not been seen on the property in 20 to 30 years are reappearing.

"Being able to influence the ecology and the diversity in such a quick and easy way is really powerful to me."

Photos by: Barnfly Productions

09/21/2026

Park County, Colorado, is home to over 200 ranches and livestock producers. But without a landfill within the county's limits, cattle producers are often challenged with how to properly dispose of carcasses. A task Colorado State University researchers hope composting efforts can serve as an intervention method.

Compost can support soil health by adding valuable organic matter back into local biomes that increases moisture retention, balances the texture, and supports microorganism life critical for plant growth.

Alongside technical experts from Montana State University and Texas A&M University, researchers are observing the possible application of composting in Bozeman, Montana, and how it can be applied back in Park County. Ryan Green, Owner and Operator of Happy Trashcan Curbside Composting, explained the importance of supplying local farmers and gardeners with compost.

"The importance of composting in seing the systematic change of our solid waste industry," Green said. "It is this idea of curbing emissions, creating local fertility that is ultimately going to support soil health and local agriculture also."

Edited and Produced by: Barnfly Productions

09/18/2026

Park County, Colorado, is home to over 200 ranches and livestock producers. But without a landfill within the county's limits, cattle producers are often challenged with how to properly dispose of carcasses. A task Colorado State University researchers hope composting efforts can serve as an intervention method.

Alongside technical experts from Montana State University and Texas A&M University, researchers are observing the possible application of composting in Madison Valley, Montana, and how it can be applied back in Park County. Mihail Kennedy, Production Manager at B Bar Ranch, is working alongside the researchers to see the direct impacts this practice can have on cattle producers.

"We sell beef," Kennedy said. "So every pound of beef takes nutrition and takes minerals and nutrients from the land. I see the cattle as a tool for regenerating."

Since implementing the composting program in the facility, Kennedy has observed the ranch's grass growing thicker and taller. Plants that have not been seen on the property in 20 to 30 years are reappearing.

"Being able to influence the ecology and the diversity in such a quick and easy way is really powerful to me."

Edited and Produced by: Barnfly Productions

09/16/2026

Park County, Colorado, is home to over 200 ranches and livestock producers. But without a landfill in the county's limits, cattle producers are often challenged with how to properly dispose of carcasses. A task Colorado State University researchers hope composting efforts can serve as an intervention method.

Alongside technical experts from Montana State University and Texas A&M University, researchers are observing the possible application of composting in Madison Valley, Montana. Linda Owens, Project Director of the Madison Valley Ranch Lands Group, is working alongside CSU at a two-acre carcass composting facility in the valley to explore the possible applications of the practice in Park County and beyond.

"We have very few family ranches left," Owens said. "We have a lot of pressures, but we need to keep our working ground working and available. And it benefits our open spaces, our wildlife."

Photos by: Barnfly Productions

09/14/2026

Park County, Colorado, is home to over 200 ranches and livestock producers. But without a landfill within the county's limits, cattle producers are often challenged with how to properly dispose of carcasses. A task Colorado State University researchers are hoping composting efforts can serve as an intervention method.

Alongside technical experts from Montana State University and Texas A&M University, researchers are observing the possible application of composting in Madison Valley, Montana. Linda Owens, Project Director of the Madison Valley Ranch Lands Group, is working alongside CSU at a two-acre carcass composting facility in the valley to explore the possible applications of the practice in Park County and beyond.

"We have very few family ranches left," Owens said. "We have a lot of pressures, but we need to keep our working ground working and available. And it benefits our open spaces, our wildlife."

Edited and Produced by: Barnfly Productions

09/10/2026

Composting is a natural process that helps break down organic matter through microorganisms.

As Tommy Bass, the Livestock Environment Extension Specialist at Montana State University, explained, the aerobic process breaks down waste ranging from animal carcasses and food to commercial waste through a clean carbon source such as wood chips or straw. Microbes break down the carbon bonds within the waste material until the natural waste is broken down into a nutrient-rich humus.

is working to address animal carcass and wood residue disposal in Park County by researching composting feasibility. Funded by a seed fund grant, the team of researchers is partnered with Montana State University and Texas A&M University to explore potential long-term solutions.

Edited and Produced by: Barnfly Productions

08/24/2026

High Country Rancher Days is almost here!
On 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟴–𝟮𝟵, join us at 𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 and 𝗟𝗮 𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗰𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 for two days of learning, ranch tours, expert presentations, and meaningful conversations with fellow ranchers and agricultural professionals.
This event is designed to be practical, welcoming, and grounded in the real work of ranching in our region. We hope you’ll come be part of it.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://extension.colostate.edu/park/events

08/22/2026

One of the best parts of 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 is the chance to ask practical questions and hear how other ranchers are approaching similar challenges.
Whether you’re thinking about grazing management, soil health, livestock mineral needs, or what it takes to host an intern or apprentice, this event is designed to create space for real conversation and shared learning.
We hope participants leave with a few new ideas, useful connections, and a deeper sense of what’s possible when ranchers gather to learn from one another.
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 / 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://extension.colostate.edu/park/events

08/19/2026

Considering whether an 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 might be a good fit for your ranch?
One of the goals of 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 is to help ranchers learn more about what these opportunities can look like in practice. We’ll hear from interns/apprentices from both host ranches about what the experience means to them and why they chose to do it.
If you’ve ever wondered where to find an intern/apprentice or if one could help you with labor, training, or simply adding a new perspective to your operation, this session may help answer some of your questions.
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 / 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://extension.colostate.edu/park/events

Address

880 Bogue Street
Fairplay, CO
80440

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://park.extension.colostate.edu/

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