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The best model for a collaboration between urban and rural interests in New Mexico might well be foreshadowed in the efforts of the Quivira Coalition, an organization comprising ranchers, ecologists, and environmentalists who understand the interdependence of cites and countrysides (p. 292). A proponent of what’s known as the Savory Method of grazing—based on the work of wildlife biologist Allan Savory, who advocates imitating the behavior of wild herds—[Courtney White, founder of Quivira] became a champion of progressive grazing, a friend to both ranchers and conservationists. Simply put, the Savory Method involves rotational grazing, moving cattle from grazing place to grazing place, allowing them to fertilize the soil, break it up with their hooves, and feed, but not letting them remain long enough to do lasting damage…. By 2005, the Quivira Coalition had more than nine hundred members, as many as three hundred of them working ranchers (p. 293).

The Roswell and Cimarron ranches photographed for this book were both recommended by the Quivira Coalition (p. 295).

		Cimarron. The tack room has been in continuous use for over 100 years. June 2007.
		Cimarron. Mike Vigil, a part-time employee, helps round up the calves in the early morning. CS Ranch is the only cow-calf ranch in the area. The average number of cattle here is 2,500. November 2007.
		Cimarron. Out mending fences. November 2007.
		Cimarron. Between the towns of Springer (named for Charles Springer, as is the ranch) and Cimarron in northeast New Mexico, lie the 130,000 acres of the CS Cattle Company. June 2007.
		Cimarron. The irrigation system on the ranch dates from the late 1800s; the water is diverted from the Cimarron River to ponds and then pumped. Gayle McBrayer digs an outlet from a ditch that with time has become lower than the field it is meant to water. June 2007.
		Cimarron. The adobe structures at CS Ranch are over one hundred years old. June 2007.
		Cimarron. The view to the south from HQ. In 1873 Julia’s great-grandfather came west from Iowa. Upon laying eyes on this view, he purchased the land. To the left is Rayado Mesa, to the right Gonzalitas Mesa. June 2007.
		Cimarron. Julia Davis Stafford, one of the six Davis siblings, each of whom manages a part of the ranch, with employee Gayle McBrayer. June 2007.
		Cimarron. The beef that CS Ranch sells is grass-fed. They also rent out grazing land, as the short grass prairies here are nutritious and strong, and the dry climate is better for grazing than farming. They have cut the size of their pastures in order to manage the land more sustainably. June 2007.
		Roswell. Lean-to where horses are fed and saddled. April 2007.
		Roswell. Jack Hagelstein fills a watering trough for the cattle. March 2007.
		Roswell. Josh, his dad Jack and his mom Pat (inside the truck). March 2007.
		Roswell. Josh dehorning a cow in the holder. April 2007
		Roswell. William helps his father and brothers send one cow at a time through the chute to be branded on the left cheek. April 2007.
		Roswell. Cattle. April 2007.
		Roswell. Penned cattle. March 2007.
		Roswell. Barbed wire and dirt. April 2007.
		Roswell. Josh, one of the five Hagelstein kids, all of whom help on the ranch, herds cattle on horseback for the photographer’s benefit. The family owns 800 yearlings plus 130 calves. March 2007.
		Roswell. The Hagelstein’s property line, comparing their neighbor’s grass, on the left, with theirs. When rotational grazing and herding are employed, the land receives necessary hoof action, fertilization, and spreading of seeds. March 2007.
		Roswell. Katy, 15, feeding cows. April 2007.
		Roswell. Josh Hagelstein rides home in the back of one of the family pick-up trucks at the end of the day. April 2007.