Honoring Land & Legacy
The inaugural Roots & Revelry event honored the progress and efforts of farmers and ranchers who transform grazing lands.
Roots & Revelry reflects the vision that guided Lloyd Noble in establishing the organization following the Dust Bowl — that healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy nation. When Noble founded the institute on Sept. 19, 1945, his goal was to help farmers and ranchers steward their land, protect their soil and ensure economic viability.
“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,” says Steve Rhines, president and CEO of Noble Research Institute.
As Noble Research Institute marks its 80th anniversary this year, that vision continues through its focus on regenerative management practices that treat the land as a living system where agriculture works in harmony with nature.
“We’re honoring the vision Lloyd Noble had 80 years ago while celebrating the ranchers and farmers who put these principles into practice every single day on their operations,” says Rhines.
Roots & Revelry also honored the inaugural Noble Land Stewardship awardee. 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 build awareness around sustainable land use and inspire others in the agricultural community.
G Bar C Ranch and the Ellis family of Rosston, Texas, are the 2025 recipients. They were selected for their commitment to regenerative management practices that have transformed 3,000 acres into a model of biodiversity and resilient cattle production.
“The Ellis family and their ranch team embody what we hoped to celebrate with this award,” says Rhines. “They’ve proven that financial and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, and their willingness to share what they’ve learned makes them ideal ambassadors for ranching.”
In 1982, GC Ellis began his dream and established the G Bar C Ranch. Since then, he has guided his ranch to success with his daughter, Meredith, who represents the next generation and future of the ranch, and his ranch manager, Mike Knabe. With a mission to continually improve ranching practices to nurture the environment, they see themselves as caretakers of the land, maintaining biodiversity, natural habitat and clean waterways.
Today, the G Bar C team applies sustainable, regenerative principles to their land, which has grown to 3,000 acres with over 200 mother cows. The cow-calf operation runs black Angus cattle with a strong focus on maternal traits, adaptability to the environment and gentle handling.
The ranch has been recognized both locally — by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association — and nationally, receiving the 2023 National Environmental Stewardship Award from National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for its outstanding conservation practices and environmental stewardship.
Meredith attended the event and accepted the award on behalf of her family and ranch team.
“It’s truly humbling to stand here today to accept this award on behalf of the entire team at the G Bar C Ranch,” said Meredith in her acceptance speech. “I’d also like to take a moment to honor my dad and Mike, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for our ranch.”
Meredith spoke about her return to the ranch 13 years ago to continue her father’s legacy. She believes the ranch made progress toward environmental stewardship and greater sustainability through advocacy and partnerships, especially with Noble Research Institute. “Every step of the way has been guided in part, or in full, by the legacy of Lloyd Noble and the collaboration of the visionaries at the Noble Research Institute,” she said.
Recipients of the Noble Land Stewardship Award receive a bronze sculpture entitled “Keeper of the Land.” The sculpture honors the power of the grazing animal to restore and build the land. The unique piece was created by Oklahoma artist John David Rule, a sculptor and master saddlemaker who grew up on a ranch as the son of a cattle buyer.
“We wanted to have movement, because the movement of the buffalo is what kicks the seed to the soil and lets it spread,” explains Rule of the sculpture. “We’re freezing a moment in time that suggests what might happen next and perhaps even what’s just happened.”
The well-attended event celebrated farmers and ranchers while also raising funds to support Noble’s ongoing research and education programs. Its success ensures a bright future for Roots & Revelry and the Noble Land Stewardship Award. If you’re interested in nominating a land steward for the 2026 award, please visit our website, noble.org/roots-and-revelry/noble-land-stewardship-award, for more information.
Laura Brenner
Laura Brenner, Sr. Content Writer
Laura Brenner is a senior content writer for Noble Research Institute. She’s worked in agricultural communications for over a decade, specializing in nonprofit communications and storytelling. Laura earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a master’s degree from Purdue University. She resides near her hometown of Lancaster County in south-central Pennsylvania.
