Hilas Bay and Emma Browning Rannells Flint Hills Prairie Preserve

 

The Rannells Ranch is committed to advancing pasture-based, low-cost beef production while promoting environmental sustainability and ecosystem health. Aligned with the land grant mission and a sense of inclusivity, we collaborate with Kansas State University researchers to address the challenges of Flint Hills beef producers and other range stewards. The Rannells Ranch also serves as a hub for teaching and extension related to rangeland management. Work at the Rannells Ranch will challenge the status quo, support innovation and fulfill the land grant commitment to public service, education, and community engagement.

Values

Inclusion – Create an environment where people from all backgrounds, disciplines, and life experiences are welcomed, valued, and respected. It is our belief that diversity of thought and lived experiences fosters creativity, facilitates problem solving and leads to impactful findings.
Communication – With both industry, public, and academic stakeholders, proper communication with all stakeholder groups is critical. Frequent and clear communication is essential for effective research and outreach.
Integrity – We commit to conducting research and outreach in a responsible, trustworthy, and transparent manner.

Mission Statement

The Rannells Ranch is committed to advancing pasture-based beef production while promoting environmental sustainability and ecosystem health. Aligned with the land grant mission and a sense of inclusivity, we collaborate with Kansas State University researchers to address the challenges of Flint Hills beef producers and other range stewards. The Rannells Ranch also serves as a hub for teaching and extension related to rangeland management. Work at the Rannells Ranch will challenge the status quo, support innovation and fulfill the land grant commitment to public service, education, and community engagement.

History

Beginning in the Fall of 2024, the Director role of the Rannells Ranch transitioned from Dr. Clenton Owensby to Drs. Logan Thompson and Sophie Westbrook. Under the direction of Dr. Owensby, the research output of Rannells Ranch benefited numerous beef stakeholders in the region, providing valuable information on land management and economic returns of stocker cattle grazing systems. Additionally, the collaborative research on other ecosystem services and land–atmosphere fluxes generated similarly valuable data for scientific stakeholders around the world. Under the new leadership, the goals for the Ranch will be very similar, with a focus on increasing collaborative research opportunities for scientists across the University and educational opportunities for all stakeholders.