Applications being accepted for year long stewardship training
Interested in 2025 or 2026? Follow instructions for applications. Applying well ahead is recommended.

Our program provides the opportunity to understand what it takes to orchestrate a Biodynamic and Beyond (WRO) Whole Ranch Organism that has over a decade of 3rd party scientific laboratory Haney living Soil tests demonstrating upward trending soil life with over 40 life protocol.  We are healing the land truly regenerating nutrient density and sequestering all that other hoopla. This is the real deal. If you want to be part of this and understand the real muscle flex and soul and spiritual awareness it takes to build your relationship with the land and sky- All of the Life we CO-create with then this might be for you. We work hard, daily stretch our known conditioning and play hard! Come explore the truly Vertical aspects of land stewardship, the Other 50% of Agrarian Livelihood.

Stewardship time frame: six month commitments

Sustainable Settings offers two-three positions per year. Stewardship training is built around the Biodynamic and Beyond whole systems approaches that guides the dynamic integration of sustainable strategies on the Ranch.  Tuition for the Stewardship training is $3,333.00 per month x 6 months = $19,998.00 per six month commitment (or $111 per day) Participants become an integral part of our working ranch. Participating in growing, irrigating, milking, and daily rhythms of the ranch and are given the opportunity to grapple with the urgent conceptual shifts necessary if we, humanity, are to build a healthy vibrant and abundant possible future.

Limited housing is provided, though we do have a good network of supporters that may be able to offer housing at a subsidized rate. At peak season, students should plan on spending 9-10 hours a day, 5 days a week on the ranch. Weeks that are scheduled with special ranch events may require more hours. We work hard, reach for the greater possibilities of who we are and what we are capable of and have a lot of fun!

Stewardship participants, though working predominantly in an area of emphasis (green building/ renewable energy/ sustainable agriculture, etc.), collaborate and study in all areas of Sustainable Settings during training.

Expectations and Qualifications​

  • Green Stewards must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Stewards must have personal health insurance or a financial plan for any medical costs.
  • Stewards should view this experience as a job. Interns will learn all aspects of the ranch. Interns are responsible for their own learning. We are not here to entertain you.
  • Stewards must be able to lift at least 50 pounds, work outdoors in variable weather, maintain a good attitude and be willing to get dirty!

* Livestock, Dairy, and Management Intensive Grazing(MIG), Homestead Gardening * – Build Soil or Die is the rant here so with that emphasis all decision making stems from that, our relationships with ALL OF THE LIFE WE CO-CREATE WITH. This is the Other 50% of stewardship, the Vertical aspects. on the horizontal front you will also be fully engaged in working larger tracks of land for the production of meat, milk, and eggs, a critical link in sustainable food production and nutrient cycling systems. This stewardship opportunity focuses on our high Rocky Mountain pasture and surrounding wild lands and Management Intensive Grazing methods that build healthy pasture, the foundation of healthy food for our animals and us. Stewards will learn the beneficial relationships of the soil microbes, fungi, major decomposers, and healthy pasture ecologies have with the cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry and us in the system. Hands-on learning with our Herdsman, includes rotational paddock development and operation;  irrigation; soil and grass testing; forage development; livestock care; care and feeding and milking of our small Guernsey dairy herd; meat processing; product development and marketing.

How to make it happen….

To apply for upcoming Stewardships send an introductory email, resume, a statement of intent, and a list of three references with addresses and phone numbers (Please no letters). Email attachments are accepted. We will review your email and get back to you to set up a phone interview. Give us a week or so to respond to your email, if you don’t hear from us PLEASE call 970-234-5100.

*Once you have been accepted and arrive at the ranch all Green Stewards will be required to sign a release of all claims.

Curious what others have said about their time here see Testimonials of past participants.

EMAIL: info@sustainablesettings.org