George Whitten

George Whitten was born into ranching in Saguache, Colorado. His grandfather established a sheep, cattle and farming operation in the northern end of the San Luis Valley in 1893. George is the third generation and has been actively involved in managing this ranching operation since 1973.

Knowledgeable in all phases of sheep and cattle production, he specializes in grass finishing techniques, genetics, soil health, organic production and certification, restorative ranching practices and marketing. George has been applying Holistic
Management principles to his ranch for over 40 years.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District for over 25 years and remains actively involved in water and other agricultural issues in the San Luis Valley. He is a founding member and current president of Sweet Grass Coop, a group of Ranches marketing grass fed beef in both Colorado and New Mexico since 2003.

George and his wife Julie Sullivan are the founding mentors of the Quivira Coalition New Agrarian Program (NAP), a ranch apprentice program. So far, they have mentored 30 apprentices, most of all who are actively engaged in agriculture. They have taught workshops and seminars for Colorado State University, Colorado College, Adams State University, Fort Lewis College, the San Luis Valley Natural Resources Camp, the Audubon Expedition Institute at Lesley University, the Sierra Club, and many others.

George believes more and more, as he gets older, in finding whole solutions to whole problems.

Plenary Panelist

Preparing to Wear the Hat: A conversation between generations

Ranch succession is a hot topic these days. Webinars and workshops abound, mainly focused on what the older generation needs to do to prepare for successful transition. But what does the younger generation need? What prepares them to take over someone else’s life work and legacy with humility, creativity and confidence? Come hear George Whitten, a 3rd generation family rancher in CO, and Christian LaBar, an entrepreneurial rancher who created his own business and has now joined the management of the Milton Ranch in Roundup MT, as they talk together about the process of letting go, giving over, taking on and being ready as ranches move from one generation to the next.

Panelists: George Whitten, Christian LaBar, and Julie Sullivan