Glenn Benjamin of Benjamin Ranch was nominated by the Agate Conservation District and Upper South Platte Watershed Association as 2017 Ranching Conservationist of Year.

Glenn operates approximately 15,610 acres of rangeland in Elbert County, of which 2305 acres is state land lease.  The land unit is located within the Agate Conservation District.  Glenn also jointly operates 3,795 acres in Sheridan County, Nebraska.

The Benjamin Ranch has been in existence since 1913, when Glenn’s grandparents, Leonard and Mary Benjamin, homesteaded in Elbert County.   That original homestead is still part of the operation today.   The ranch was largely expanded by Glenn’s parents, Ileta and the late Harold Benjamin.  His parents installed many practices…terraces, rangeland improvement plantings, ponds, cross fencing, wells, pipelines, and stock water tanks.

Glenn has continued the tradition of conservation and has installed solar pumping systems, livestock tanks, pipelines, cross fence and wells and has implemented prescribed grazing.  In addition, in 2006, a 6,580 feet of Living Snow Fence was installed to protect CO State Highway 86 with partnerships from with Colorado Department of Transportation, Agate CD, NRCS, NRCS Earth Team Volunteers and Don Moore Tree Planting Service.

In 2017, the Ed Butler Memorial Living Snow Fence was installed on the Benjamin Ranch, also protecting Co State Highway 86.  This 2300 ft project was a collaboration of Glenn, friends & family of Ed Butler, Agate CD, and Colorado Department of Transportation.

The Agate Conservation District would like to thank Glenn for his immense efforts and congratulate him on his nomination.