The Elusive Swift Fox: The Mystery of the Long Tailings
If you are ever lucky enough to spot a swift fox, don’t blink, as they will quickly vanish into the vast expanse of the prairie.
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Chico Chicharras
Hear an electric buzzing alien shriek on the summer prairie? That’s the mating call of a Colorado cicada, the cactus dodger.
Prairie in Bloom
From copper mallow and cutleaf evening primrose to moss campion and Western spiderwort, this summer’s prairie was awash in a kaleidoscope of blooms thanks to ample rains.
Physical Labor in the Life and Art of GL Richardson
How an internship at the MP Ranch helped an advertising art director transition to a full time career as an artist.
What Edie Ure Learns from Plants
In pursuit of color. How a high fashion career in London became the catalyst for foraging wild plants in Colorado.
Healthy Earth 80 Years in the Making
António Garcia has been farming successfully for over seven decades. His guiding principle? Topsoil. Meet one of the local farmers whose produce supplies the Zapata Ranch kitchen.
Five Homesteading Tips from a Holistic Management Expert
Don’t start until you finish, don’t be afraid to ask, and other advice on starting a small-scale growing operation from consultant and educator Kirk Gadzia.
The Wisdom of Cows
Cattle trails are not necessarily aimless ruminant wanderings, but rather the materialization of purpose and intentionality.
Tying The Knot Between Cowboys and Sailors
“To me the simple act of tying a knot is an adventure in unlimited space...it provides an opportunity for an excursion that is limited only by the scope of our...
Barbed Wire and the Frying Pan Ranch: A Shared History
How Joseph Glidden’s 1874 invention shaped an industry, and with it, a historical ranch in the Texas Panhandle.
Planting Seeds: The Beginnings of the Zapata Ranch Garden
Meet Abby, a member of a seventh-generation Colorado agricultural family who has planted our first Zapata garden.
The Lyrical Charisma of Colter Wall
The singer-songwriter on how to write a great song and life at his new home on the Canadian plains.
The Boss of the Plains Still Reigns: The History of the Cowboy Hat
It was the spring of 1849 and John B. Stetson was on a hunting trip near Pikes Peak, just outside Colorado Springs (about 45 minutes from Chico Basin Ranch), when...
Bringing Rain
Rain in the summer makes all the difference to a successful growing season on the prairie.
Birds of the San Luis Valley: When and Where to See Them
Visit the striking San Luis Valley. This Colorado locale has a suite of ecosystems and landscapes, making it a standout birding location.
Perspectives from the Saddle: Meet our 2021 Zapata Wranglers
Every year a group of life-long riders joins our staff at Zapata Ranch as wranglers. Here are a few stories from their first month.
Branding Mornings
A playlist for falling out of bed at 3am and catching horses in the dark, followed by several hours of gathering, roping and branding calves.
Cattle Brandings Then and Now
Livestock brandings have roots dating back to over 4,700 years ago but still remain relevant today. Learn its history and role at Ranchlands.
Tammy Pate: The Ultimate Ranch Mom’s Life in Photos
The year is 1973, and it is a vibrant Montana spring. The wild crocuses are blooming a brilliant purple in the Big Coulee valley. A 6-year-old cowgirl is loping alongside...
