A "Seat at the Table" for Garfield County Agriculture

For years, decisions about our local National Forest lands—where so many of our families run cattle and find their livelihood—have been made by federal agencies in distant offices. In January 2026, that changed. Utah and the U.S. Forest Service signed a 20-year Cooperative Agreement that finally gives the State of Utah a leading role in how our 8 million acres of forest land are managed.

What this means for our ranchers and neighbors:

• Active Stewardship, Not Just Passive Input: We are moving from a system of "waiting for federal approval" to a partnership where the state provides the funding and staff to get projects done. This means thinning forests to prevent the next catastrophic fire and improving water infrastructure for livestock.

• Grazing Stability: This agreement recognizes grazing as a core use of our public lands. By bringing state experts to the table, we can ensure that grazing permits and AUMs are managed with local common sense, responding to actual range conditions rather than rigid federal cycles.

• Local Jobs & Industry: The focus on "sustainable timber production" isn’t just about forest health—it’s about supporting the local economy. By accelerating mechanical thinning and timber sales, we create local work and protect the watersheds our communities depend on.

We aren't changing who owns the land, but we are changing who has the loudest voice in how it's treated. It’s about making sure the people who live here and care for the land are the ones helping lead the way.