About the Project
The Prairie Project is a collaboration between research, teaching, and extension faculty from Texas A&M, Oklahoma State University, and University of Nebraska. Together with ranchers, teachers and students from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska we are learning and sharing our knowledge from the most current research and management experience to tackle the problems of woody plant encroachment, more extreme climate, and increasing wildfire. Our goal is to not only maintain livestock production but increase it while simultaneously providing the vital ecosystem services the Southern Great Plains provide.
Funded Grants
“Promoting Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices to Reduce Risk and Impacts of Drought, Wildlife and Woody Encroachment on Livestock Production” (hereinafter referred to as “Climate Hub Partnership”), Grant Number 6801439530, funded by USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Resources Initiative program, 2023
“Enhancing Livestock Production from Rangelands in the Great Plains” (hereinafter referred to as “Prairie Project”), Grant Number 12726253, funded by the USDA-NIFA Sustainable Agriculture Systems program, 2018
Research
Our research goals are to ultimately make rangeland production systems in the Great Plains more profitable, productive, sustainable, and beneficial to society at large, through promoting the widespread adoption of pyric herbivory and mixed-species grazing.
Extension
Our Extension group will develop evidence-based demonstrations of best management practices at the Research and Demonstration Centers and the Demonstration Ranches and identify and train agents of change from among the current and next-generation progressive ranch managers and extension professionals.
Education
Our education effort will take an approach that combines intensive and extensive activities and will target students and the general public from urban areas as well as future natural resources professionals.