Organic Spunk

Farmers and activists Maurice & Beth Robinette talk about their work on the Lazy R Ranch and their father-daughter efforts to make better beef and engage modern consumers.

Sixteen miles west of Spokane, Interstate-90 cuts right through the heart of one of the nation’s most interesting agricultural ventures. It’s the Lazy R Ranch, which has been in the Robinette family for four generations. The heart of the business is in producing hormone-free, grass-fed beef using organic ranching practices. Not only is grass-fed beef leaner than meat from cattle finished on grain, but studies show it contains higher concentrations of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

Beth Robinette

In addition to producing healthier beef, the Robinettes are also disciples of Allan Savory, the Rhodesian biologist and environmentalist who is the originator of the Holistic Management concept for livestock grazing. Holistic Management techniques are touted not only for their benefits for cleaner water and healthier local ecosystems, but also for sequestering carbon.

As you can tell from this interview I recorded on October 27th, (the hiss in the background is a propane burner warming the small, remote cabin in which we recorded the interview) the father/daughter duo have a healthy sense of humor that seasons their passion for their work, and their commitment to educating others on what ranching for the future should look like.

One of the Robinette’s recent causes has been to alert the public and decision-makers to the economic hazards of genetically modified seeds and crops. In August we reported on Maurice’s efforts as a spokesman for Washington state Initiative 522, which would require processed foods containing genetically modified crops to be labeled so that consumers are informed. I-522 is nearly identical to Proposition 37, which is on the state ballot in California this November.

–Tim Connor