Agriculture

Encampment FFA Celebrates State Title and Student Achievements

Publisher — Sat, 16 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Encampment FFA Celebrates State Title and Student Achievements

Publisher Sat, 05/16/2026 - 07:00

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The National FFA Organization chapter at Encampment K-12 School, a school with deep agricultural roots, continues to make a statewide impact.

Students, families and community supporters gathered May 6 for the Encampment FFA annual banquet, celebrating a year highlighted by a Wyoming state championship in Ag Mechanics, individual student achievements and the chapter earning Gold Chapter status for 2026.

The evening carried a gold theme, fitting for a chapter coming off one of its most successful years in recent memory.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of the state champion Ag Mechanics team. Team members Korbyn Barkhurst, Caleb Koehn, Raden Miller and Kannon Gilbert received custom belt buckles commemorating their state title. The buckles were donated by Big Bale Company and High Mountain Powersports.

The four students earned the state championship in Ag Mechanics during the April state convention and will represent Wyoming at the national competition in Indianapolis this fall.

The chapter also celebrated earning the Gold Chapter Award for 2026, one of the organization’s top honors.

Graduating seniors involved in FFA were presented with graduation cords during the banquet, and members also received chapter degrees and individual awards.

Among the award recipients, Lexi Vorn was named top fundraiser in the junior high division, while Coy Munroe earned the honor at the high school level. Outstanding member awards went to Lexi Vorn and Alessia Ricci in junior high and Kellan Swanson and Cloey Boxberger in high school.

Top point honors were awarded to Caleb Koehn for the high school division and Lexi Vorn for junior high. Caleb Koehn and Cloey Boxberger were also named Mr. and Ms. FFA.

Members elected new officers for the upcoming school year. Kannon Gilbert was selected as president, Raden Miller as vice president, Lexi Vorn as secretary, Keston Baysinger as treasurer, Cloey Boxberger as reporter and Kellan Swanson as sentinel.

FFA is a national student organization focused on agriculture, leadership and career development. Participation requires enrollment in vocational agriculture courses, where students engage in agricultural education activities, competitions and leadership events throughout the year.

Encampment FFA officials thanked parents, sponsors and community members for their continued support of the chapter and its students.

Carbon County Designer Places at National Make It With Wool Contest

Publisher — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Carbon County Designer Places at National Make It With Wool Contest

Publisher Sat, 02/14/2026 - 07:00

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Wyoming’s own Ashlynn Johnson of Encampment made a strong showing at the 2025 National Make It With Wool (MIWW) contest held Saturday, January 31, in Reno, Nevada. Johnson was named 3rd Runner-Up in the Senior Division and earned first place in the Special Awards category of Handwork, recognizing her skill, dedication and attention to detail.

Johnson’s navy-blue three-piece wool ensemble, a coat, vest and slacks, featured more than 1,500 silver seed beads hand-sewn in a swirling “star” pattern across the coat, drawing praise from judges and spectators alike. Her design combined creativity, technical skill and an eye for detail honed over months of preparation following her state win in Wyoming last December.

Johnson seemed thrilled to represent Wyoming and showcase what the state’s designers can do.

The national contest brought together winners from across the country, including Junior and Adult Division competitors, for a weekend of judging, fashion shows and awards. Johnson’s achievement marks a proud moment for Carbon County, continuing the tradition of strong representation at MIWW.

Joining Johnson at the national competition were other Wyoming winners, including Junior Division champion Miranda Smith of Lusk and Adult Division winner Jamie Wilkinson of Torrington. Participants were challenged to create original wool garments and accessories that highlighted design, construction and overall presentation.

The MIWW program, supported by the American Sheep Industry, promotes wool’s versatility and encourages skills such as creativity, craftsmanship, sportsmanship and attention to detail. For Johnson, the national recognition reflects months of dedication, from initial design sketches to carefully sewn finishes, and brings pride to both her family and her community.

Johnson’s accomplishments at the National Make It With Wool contest underscore the growing talent and innovation of Wyoming’s wool designers, demonstrating that even small towns like Encampment can shine on a national stage.

Winners Named in State Make It With Wool Contest

Publisher — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Winners Named in State Make It With Wool Contest

Publisher Sat, 12/13/2025 - 07:00

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Information provided by Lynda Johnson

Wyoming’s creativity, craftsmanship and agricultural heritage were on display Monday, December 8, as winners of the 2025 Wyoming Make It With Wool (MIWW) contest were announced at the Ramkota Hotel in Casper. Among the top finishers was Carbon County’s own Ashlynn Johnson of Encampment, who earned the Senior Division title and several additional honors.

Johnson, who will represent Wyoming at the National MIWW competition in Reno, Nevada, later this January, also won the Senior Construction Award, the Embellishment Award and the People’s Choice Award. Her sweep of major categories highlighted a standout weekend of judging, fashion shows and interviews.

Joining Johnson on the national stage will be Junior Division winner Miranda Smith of Lusk, who took top honors among younger competitors. Jamie Wilkinson of Torrington was named the Adult Division winner.

The two-day event began with registration and judging on Sunday, followed by the traditional fashion show at noon Monday, where contestants modeled garments they designed and created using wool. Participants in MIWW include sewers, knitters, crocheters, felters and designers, each challenged to showcase skill, creativity and understanding of wool’s versatility.

Every contestant received a 2 1/2-yard piece of Pendleton wool yardage along with other prizes, recognizing the work that goes into constructing handmade garments. Divisions included Junior, Senior, Adult, Made for Others and Wearable Accessory/Novelty, with categories ranging from tailored jackets to accessories such as hats, scarves and belts.

The MIWW program—supported by the American Sheep Industry—aims to promote the beauty and functionality of wool while building lifelong skills such as personal responsibility, good sportsmanship and respect for judges’ decisions. The competition also encourages participants to take inspiration from the world around them, incorporating color, pattern and texture into original, wool-based designs.

For Johnson, Smith and Wilkinson, the state titles mark the culmination of months of design, planning and construction ahead of the Casper contest. For Johnson in particular, the honors also bring pride to Carbon County as she prepares to take her work to the national stage.

The 2025 National Make It With Wool contest will be held in late January in Reno, where Wyoming’s winners will compete against top designers and creators from across the country.

STEM-ology Provides Controlled Environment Agriculture Activities for All Ages This Month

Publisher — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

STEM-ology Provides Controlled Environment Agriculture Activities for All Ages This Month Publisher Sat, 11/15/2025 - 07:00

Press Release

University of Wyoming

STEM-ology, a monthly series of themed science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) events for all ages, continues this month at the University of Wyoming, with events including Toddler Tuesdays, Senior Science Fridays and fun-filled family Science Saturdays.

STEM-ology highlights cross-program collaborations and high-impact learning experiences through free public activities via the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium Science Kitchen, the Science Initiative Roadshow and other UW groups.

This month’s events, the last on the fall schedule, will have a theme of controlled environment agriculture and will take place in the STEM Sandbox, located on the fourth floor of the Science Initiative Building, located at the corner of Ninth and Bradley streets.

Last spring, STEM-ology drew more than 370 participants from the local community and neighboring states, says Karagh Brummond, director of the UW Top-Tier Science Initiative Engagement and Outreach Program.

“We are bringing STEM to life with engaging, hands-on experiences for all ages. Programs are designed to spark curiosity, inspire creativity and make science, technology, engineering and math fun and interactive,” Brummond says.

The November schedule is:

-- Tuesday, Nov. 18, 10-10:30 a.m. or 10:30-11 a.m.: Toddler Tuesdays allow children to explore the world through hands-on activities and sensory play. The session will start with an interactive read-aloud of the book “A Seed Grows” by Antoinette Portis. Participants will then place felt pieces of a sunflower plant into the correct position based on the “I do, you do” teaching method. The session will wrap up with participants taking home a sunflower seedling to care for. To RSVP, go here.

-- Friday, Nov. 21, 10-11 a.m.: Senior Science Fridays offer a fun and engaging way for older adults to explore the wonders of science. The session will start with a guided tour of the Plant Growth and Phenotyping Facility before transitioning to learning about controlled environment agriculture and hydroponic systems. The session will finish with participants making and planting their own deep water culture cups to take home. To RSVP, go to https://uwyo.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b2PLe8MpDPcqANU.

-- Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-noon.: Science Saturday is a fun-filled family day designed for all ages. Families will get to explore five activities, including:

Growing seeds, Room 4003: Participants will learn how a seed grows through story and felt sunflowers, and then take home a sunflower seedling to care for.

Hydroponic cups, Room 4004: Get your hands wet by creating a hydroponic kit with a variety of cups.

Controlled environment agriculture and microgreens, Room 4030: Dive into how controlled environment agriculture is involved in the growing of five different microgreens. Participants will be able to taste five different varieties of microgreens.

Journey through a salad, Room 2010: Discover where our food comes from and how it is transported to the store. Participants may enjoy a salad composed of lettuce, other leafy greens, carrots, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.

Plant Growth and Phenotyping Facility tour: Take a guided tour of the state-of-the-art rooftop growing facility. Families are asked to meet by the elevators on the fourth floor.

An RSVP is not required for Science Saturday, but families are asked to arrive in time for check-in from 10-10:15 a.m.

For more information, email Brummond at STEMSandbox@uwyo.edu or go to www.wyomingspacegrant.org/stem-ology/.

UW Researchers Find Wild Horse Diets Adaptable

Publisher — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 20:00:00 +0000

UW Researchers Find Wild Horse Diets Adaptable

Publisher Sat, 11/01/2025 - 21:00

Press Release

University of Wyoming

A sweeping University of Wyoming study of wild horses on federal lands across seven Western states has found that the animals have a high ability to gain nutrition from a variety of plants and, by so doing, maintain good body condition, even in winter.

The findings could have implications for federal management of those free-roaming horses in connection with both livestock grazing and wildlife, according to the study published in the journal Rangeland Ecology & Management.

“Although horses are considered grazers, our study provides evidence that they can maintain healthy body condition and potentially achieve higher condition while consuming a variety of plants,” wrote the researchers, including Professor Jeff Beck, of UW’s Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, and recent Ph.D. graduate Courtney Buchanan. “This adaptability of horses to use different forage plants could offer one reason why populations of free-roaming horses are increasing across federal lands in the western United States.”

Free-roaming horses on Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands in the West are protected under the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. Local management occurs within 177 BLM herd management areas, each of which has an established maximum appropriate management level. Over 80 percent of the BLM’s herd management areas had populations exceeding their appropriate management levels in 2023, and annual growth rates can reach 20 percent per year.

To get a broad look at the diet and body condition of free-roaming horses across the West, the scientists analyzed horse fecal samples and observed the animals in both summer and winter on 16 BLM herd management areas in Wyoming, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah. The Wyoming sites were Adobe Town in southern Wyoming, Green Mountain in central Wyoming and McCullough Peaks in northern Wyoming.

While grasses or grass-like plants were found to be the largest component of horse diets in most of the study areas, the scientists learned that other plants -- including forbs and shrubs -- also are consumed by the animals, at higher levels than previously understood. The researchers also found that free-roaming horses maintained good body condition across a variety of landscapes and different seasons.

“These animals appear highly adaptable and have demonstrated remarkable ability to maintain body condition throughout different ecoregions, seasons, herbaceous availability, and while consuming varied diets,” the scientists wrote.

For cattle grazing, in particular, the new findings confirm previous research showing a high overlap in grass consumption by free-roaming horses and cattle on federal lands where grazing permits are granted.

“In herd management areas where these herbivores overlap, more rangeland planning may be needed to account for increased demand and potential conflict in (grass or grass-like) forage use,” the researchers wrote.

Likewise, the new study shows that free-roaming horses consume some shrubs from some of the same plant families that provide winter forage for wildlife, including sage grouse, mule deer, pronghorn and elk.

“Additional reliance on these plants by free-roaming horses in the winter may create competition with wildlife species,” the scientists concluded. “Understanding what free-roaming horses are eating and at what time of the year in specific herd management areas can help with locally specific rangeland management planning to help mitigate free-roaming horse conflict and balance multiple uses.”

Other UW researchers who participated in the study were Jared Studyvin, Jonathan Lautenbach, Derek Scasta and Greg Randolph.

UW Launches Controlled Environment Agriculture Network

Publisher — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 20:00:00 +0000

UW Launches Controlled Environment Agriculture Network

Publisher Sat, 10/11/2025 - 22:00

Press Release

University of Wyoming

This fall, the University of Wyoming is launching the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Network, a transformative initiative to accelerate workforce development, research and innovation in one of agriculture’s fastest-growing sectors.

“The CEA Network connects people, ideas and resources to build a thriving ecosystem for innovation and workforce development in Wyoming and beyond,” says Parag Chitnis, UW vice president for research and economic development. “By fostering collaboration among industry, academia and communities, we’re preparing students for the jobs of the future while advancing CEA technology.”

CEA is a modern approach to food production in which crops are grown in controlled environments to optimize growth and yield year-round. Leveraging UW’s Plant Growth and Phenotyping Facility, the network will provide hands-on training, industry partnerships and a place to test new technologies.

The CEA Network is part of the Wyoming Innovation Partnership, a state-led initiative to diversify and modernize Wyoming’s economy, and aligns with UW’s Center for CEA within the Science Initiative. Although other CEA groups have been launched around the United States, the UW network’s focus on workforce development and active collaboration among all members is novel.

The network connects industry partners and other CEA stakeholders so that they can collaborate on projects, share knowledge and engage in joint research and discussions. Participants will help drive CEA workforce development by exposing students to CEA technologies and providing hands-on experiences and internships. Participants can collaborate on grant-writing efforts and use UW’s Plant Growth and Phenotyping Facility as a testbed for research and development.

The initiative was created and coordinated by Carmela Rosaria Guadagno, director of the facility and newly appointed director of UW’s Center for CEA.

“The CEA Network emerged organically from the growing momentum around CEA at UW, around the state and across collaborating states,” Guadagno says. “It has been fueled by significant state investments, which have been instrumental in advancing infrastructure, research and workforce development in this rapidly expanding field.”

UW’s focus on workforce development and active collaboration between companies is unique among other CEA groups. Michael Baldwin, assistant research scientist and facility manager of UW’s Plant Growth and Phenotyping Facility, has been instrumental for industry recruitment, bringing a valuable business perspective that complements academic expertise.

Early partners include Vertical Harvest, in collaboration with Central Wyoming College, as well as Wyoming-based farms Papa Joe’s Produce and Tén Galon; established CEA companies such as Crop King and RAYN Growing Systems; and startups, including Harvest Today, Rooted Robotics and PAGE Technologies. International companies, including European Photon Systems Instruments and Bluelab from New Zealand, also have joined the network.

“This represents a true win-win, where companies not only provide valuable exposure and hands-on opportunities for our students, but they also connect with one another to address the pressing challenges in this rapidly evolving industry,” Guadagno says. “The enthusiasm from industry partners has been truly inspiring.”

The CEA Network welcomes participation from businesses, academic institutions and other organizations. To join or learn more, email Guadagno at cguadagn@uwyo.edu.

The Rancher Artist

Publisher — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

The Rancher Artist Publisher Sat, 03/22/2025 - 06:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Bobbie Herman is a rancher a little ways from downtown Elk Mountain. She grew up on a ranch, and knew this was the life for her even when she was small.

“When I was in high school, I had a really good art teacher who didn’t really push me to go college for art, but I had a principal that did try to push me and it was hard to explain to those academic people that I was already doing what I wanted to do,” Herman said. “I would not quit art or welding and even toyed with going to a welding school, but I knew I wanted to work on the ranch.”

Herman is a renowned artist to any person who sees her work. She was the designer of the Carbon County Seal and is currently working on a mural for the Hanna Basin Museum. She has completed one of three murals and the second one is being worked on. The first mural depicts the town of Hanna. To say it is amazing, does not do it justice. Her talent is unquestionable and it is easy to see why the academics wanted her to continue learning art.

“I had been riding before I could walk,” Herman said. “My mother had chores, so she put us on horses and off we went with her. I loved it.”

There was no FFA when Herman was growing up, she joined 4H.

Both her children Freddie and Tom Wagner enjoyed the ranch lifestyle but they did belong to FFA, in addition to 4H.

“When I was in 4H, I was into horses. I liked barrel racing,” Herman said. “I didn’t push either of them to join 4H, especially the horse part, because I think I was a little burned out on that, but I did encourage them with their lambs and their steers.”

Herman said ranching has been profitable the last few years.

“It is not always like this because we are held to what the market dictates,” Herman said. “The family ranches out here (Elk Mountain) really can only support one family unless it is diverse, and if a ranch had several siblings, usually someone has to leave.”

She said if parents or grandparents had the foresight to purchase more land, there was a chance a place could support more than one family, but if not, it was very tough to have more than one family run a ranch.

Herman said you don’t necessarily have to have a ranch to make a living off of one. She said there are enough jobs that are taught by the FFA, that one doesn’t have to own a ranch to make a living.

“I know people who were not born into it, but I have met people that have made a living on it,” Herman said. “Some have turned into good ranch hands.”

She said that she has noticed that town kids don’t really come out to ranches as in days past to wrestle calves and learn the basic fundamentals of ranching.

“It is just something I have noticed,” Herman said. “It makes me a little sad and I don’t know why this has happened.”

Herman said there is so much to learn from the FFA and 4H and she recommends all kids get involved.

“I was on the Fair Board for 10 years and I saw some kids whole career, because I was there so long,” Herman said. “The ones that are really driven that last until 18, are usually the cream of the crop. It was really cool to witness.”

Herman said there are a lot of corporate around Carbon County and although they buy up the family ranch, which is sad, there is opportunity on these huge ranches.

“They do bring in families to work in them, a lot of good people, and I think that sometimes people forget there are good people working on these ranches,” Herman said. “It makes me cringe a little bit, because many of these people get lumped into that big name that is not popular. At least they are still ranching the ranches. Sometimes it is local people.”

Herman is happy to still be ranching and it gives her great satisfaction.

She knows things are changing and ranching is getting harder to do, but she has every intention of making ranching a continuing part of her life.

Saratoga Ag Teacher Siara Hatch Brings Diverse Skills and Programs to First Year in Classroom

Publisher — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Saratoga Ag Teacher Siara Hatch Brings Diverse Skills and Programs to First Year in Classroom Publisher Sat, 03/22/2025 - 06:00

By Mike Armstrong Reporter, Carbon County Comet

“Siara Hatch is in her first year as Saratoga’s Ag teacher, but she has lived in the Valley for 12 years.

Hatch said her students have been very supportive, the families excellent and the administration welcoming and encouraging as she teaches the programs of Ag.

“My background is animal science business management, so I have brought in more animal science and the business side as well,” Hatch said. “We are working on the greenhouse, range management, as well as we have the Ag tech program, and we are incorporating welding, along with Ag small engine.”

Hatch said she has a good mix of kids who live in town and kids that live outside of town on ranches.

“We have several kids who do have animals as FFA projects that they are working to take to Fair, and we have kids who are not working to go the Fair, but still do ranch work and projects,”

Hatch said. “They train horses, learn to utilize goat herds and raise different animals as well. We are pretty lucky that we can teach those students these things, so that they continue to grow within their different enterprises on what they are wanting to do.”

Hatch likes teaching livestock production.

“I went to school for it. I was going to be an animal nutritionist and then I ended up on ranches and helped with ranch work. My husband and I have been married 18 years, and that is what we have done and I really enjoy the production side of helping animals reach their potential,” Hatch said. “I have been helping kids understand nutrition and how vital it is not only to animals but also to themselves.”

She said it is important to figure out the best feed at the best prices to mix into your rations is important along with the different mineral packets and the different things animals eat as well.

“I am actually going to be teaching a program on taxes with my juniors so they will learn how to do a basic 1040 EZ, and how to read those things and figure out how to do those taxes,” Hatch said. “I have talked with the Bank of Commerce about them coming in potentially next year and doing a capstone project where the kids would actually put together a whole business plan and figure out those expenses and those things that they will need to incorporate into their prices and the price models to know what they will need to sell their product for.”

Hatch said for students who are not sure if they should consider taking Ag, they should know there is a lot to the program.

“If you don’t have animals, there is always the industrial side or the welding side or there is speaking and some students do very well in that,” Hatch said. “Some learn parliamentary procedure, some can learn how to run a business and I have students that will be competing in Ag sales, which is a new program, at State.”

Hatch said the Ag sales gives the students to learn how to use their business skills, while being able to communicate why a product should be purchased.

“We also have an Ag mech team, a livestock judging team and horse judging team, so we have a variety of things that students can do,” Hatch said. “Students that are interested in being Ag teachers, or extension agents, we do have competitions to fit that niche as well. We truly hone in on those skills that they want to build.”

Hatch a major benefit is that students get hands-on experience.

“I have students that have weld together different metal art out of nuts and bolts and old horseshoes, whereas I have another class where we are learning leatherwork,” Hatch said. “We have quite a lot of different things that kids can learn from Ag.”

Hatch said it is important for the community to know how much the program appreciates their support and how great they have been over the year.

“Coming in as a new teacher and getting this amazing support, and all the willingness to help, has been just fantastic,” Hatch said. “I appreciate it as a teacher, and as a parent.”

Hatch said there will be an event for the community to watch out for in the near future.

“We are having Donkey Basketball on April 25,” Hatch said. “The game will start at 7 p.m.”

That is definitely something worth watching.

Ag certainly does have a lot of different looks.

Saratoga Ag Teacher Siara Hatch Brings Diverse Skills and Programs to First Year in Classroom

Publisher — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Saratoga Ag Teacher Siara Hatch Brings Diverse Skills and Programs to First Year in Classroom

Publisher Sat, 03/22/2025 - 06:00