From Dust Bowl to Restoration: Noble Research Institute Launches Event Honoring Legacy of Land Stewardship

ARDMORE, Okla. (Oct. 16, 2025)— Noble Research Institute (Noble), a trusted educational resource for farmers and ranchers since 1945, has announced Roots & Revelry, an annual farm-to-table gathering designed to honor the progress and efforts of producers who are transforming U.S. agriculture through sustainable land stewardship. The inaugural event will also feature the presentation of the first Noble Land Stewardship Award.

The sold-out event will take place on Wednesday, October 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Noble Research Institute Retreat Center in Ardmore, OK. For more information, visit www.noble.org/roots-and-revelry/.

Roots & Revelry reflects the vision that guided Lloyd Noble in establishing the organization in 1945, following the Dust Bowl – that healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy nation. An oil entrepreneur with a conservationist’s heart, Noble was determined to restore what had been lost to drought and erosion in the 1930s. When he founded the institute on September 19, 1945, his goal was to help farmers and ranchers steward their land, protect their soil and ensure economic viability. As Noble Research Institute marks its 80th anniversary this year, that vision continues through its focus on regenerative principles that treat the land as a living system that gives back when properly cared for.

The Noble Land Stewardship Award is a national award recognizing farmers, ranchers and landowners who are leading the way in regenerative land management. By encouraging these leaders to share their experiences, the award aims to influence conversations around sustainable land use and inspire others in the agricultural community.

Recipients of the Noble Land Stewardship Award receive a bronze sculpture entitled “Keeper of the Land,” recognizing the power of the grazing animal to restore and build the land, as well as a cash prize. The sculpture was created by Oklahoma artist John David Rule, a sculptor and master saddle maker who grew up on a ranch as the son of a cattle buyer. Rule’s love of nature, and use of people, horses, cows and birds of prey are part of his genuine approach to art.

The event brings together partners, producers and supporters to celebrate progress and highlight results in regenerative land management.

“This gathering represents something fundamental to our mission – bringing people together who care deeply about the land and understand that its health is tied to our own future,” said Steve Rhines, president and CEO of Noble Research Institute. “We’re honoring the vision Lloyd Noble had 80 years ago while celebrating the ranchers and producers who put regenerative principles into practice every single day on their operations.”

As the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to improving soil health and profitability on grazing lands, Noble Research Institute provides education, applied research and producer-focused solutions that advance regenerative farming and ranching across the country.

For more information about Roots & Revelry, visit www.noble.org/roots-and-revelry/.

About Noble Research Institute

Noble Research Institute is the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to farm and ranch management and has been a leading, trusted resource in agriculture since 1945. The organization serves agricultural producers with education, research and consultation on regenerating soil health to improve their land, livestock and livelihood. Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to restoring U.S. grazing lands, Noble actively manages 13,500 acres of working ranchlands to provide real-world insights and applications for farmers and ranchers. 

For more information about Noble Research Institute, visit www.noble.org. 

For media inquiries about Noble Research Institute, please contact:
Kim Leaston | Sr. Public Relations Specialist | mailto:[email protected] 

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