Meet Our Steering Committee

Bob represents the National Cattlemen's Beef Association on the Steering Committee, and is in fact a past president of NCBA. He has co-owned and operated Drake Farms, a purebred and commercial Angus operation with his brother, Tom, near Davis, Oklahoma, since 1964. The ranch was originally founded by their father in 1943.

Bob is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, class of 1961 with a degree in Management and Finance. He sits on many business and agriculture boards and committees and has won numerous honors including American Angus Hall of Fame, 1995; Progressive Farmer: Man of the Year in Southwest Agriculture; Cattleman of the Year, 1996; NCBA Cattlemen of the Year Region IV, 1996; and the Master Breeder Award in 1988 from Oklahoma State University.

He has been the GLCI Chair since 1997 and has seen the GLCI through 4 National Conferences on Grazing Lands. Bob has been married to Kay Drake for 50 years and they have two children and three grandchildren.

Howard represents the Dairy Industry on the Steering Committee and was elected to the Vice-Chair position in 2008. He has served on the Steering Committee since July of 2005.

Howard and his wife, Mary Jo, have been in the dairy business for 33 years in St. Johns, Michigan. In 1993, they started rotationally grazing the dairy herd and the following year heifers and calves were also put on pasture. Howard saw the profit potential with grazing and became an advocate of rotational grazing and seasonal dairying.

He has been involved with many organizations including the Michigan Forage Council, Michigan Food and Farming Systems and the American Forage and Grasslands Council. He also helped organize and is serving as president of the Michigan Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.

Howard and Mary Jo have four children of which three have their own grazing dairy herds in Michigan and Ohio.

"Rooter" represents the National Association of Conservation Districts on the Steering Committee and has been a member since 1995. He is a member and past president of the Texas GLCI Coalition, in addition to holding leadership roles in the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (Director), the Natural Resources & Environment Committee (Vice-Chair), the Resource Conservation & Development Board (Board Member and Past President), the Association of Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts (past Vice-President and Board Member), the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board (Area 5, Board Member and Vice-Chair). Rooter also serves on the NACD Farm Bill Task Force, and is a member of the National Watershed Coalition, the Texas Section Society for Range Management, and the Texas Farm Bureau.

Rooter and his wife Lynda have been ranching in Bowie, Texas, for many years, and have one child and one grandchild.

Rod represents the Soil & Water Conservation Society and has served on the Steering Committee since 2005. He was raised with a ranching and farming background in South Dakota, and graduated from McIntosh High School in 1962 and South Dakota State University in 1966 with a BS Degree in Range Management. He is married and has three grown children and five grandchildren. One daughter lives in Lakewood, Colorado and two son's are Range Management graduates and work for the Bureau of Reclamation and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Rod started work with the Soil Conservation Service in 1966 as a Range Management Specialist. He has held positions with the Natural Resources Conservation Service as District Conservationist, Area Range Conservationist, Area Conservationist, Assistant State Conservationist, Northern Plains Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Coordinator and National Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Coordinator. He retired from the Natural Resources Conservation Service in January 2004. He is a life member of the Society for Range Management, a Certified Range Consultant, Certified Professional in Range Management and a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. He currently manages a family ranching corporation, is directly involved with the livestock industry. He does private range management consulting and is a range consultant with Validus Consulting firm.

Keith represents the Society for Range Management on the Steering Committee and has been an active member of the GLCI Since 2002. He lives in Sheldon, North Dakota.

Dave represents the Dairy Industry on the GLCI Steering Committee and has been serving the GLCI since 2002. He and his wife, Helen have owned and operated Forgey’s River-View Farm since 1968. In 2005 Scott & Darla Foerg, long time employees, became 50/50 partners in the operations of the 200 cow seasonal pasture based dairy. Dave is currently serving as Vice President of the Indiana GLCI Committee, and also serves as a director on the board of Foremost Farms USA Dairy Cooperative. He is also a member of the Dairy Promotion Board in Indiana MPSI, and the board of the Mid-East Milk Marketing Agency. His past associations include: 25 Years as director and past president of local Farm Bureau Marketing Co-op; two, three year terms as director of AFGC Director of Indiana Forage Council and a past president; two terms on the board of the Cass County Soil & Water District; and Director of the Cass County Credit Union.

Dave has won awards & honors from the Distinguished Producer Award (2005) from the Indiana Forage Council (with the award to be continued annually to other producers as the Dave & Helen Forgey Award); the Master Farmer Award from The Indiana Prairie Farmer (2002); and the Master Grazier Award (2002) from the Great Lakes Grazing Conference.

Dave has written dozens of articles on grazing and farm transition to the next generation in magazines such as “Hoard’s Dairyman, “Graze” and “The Stockman Grass Farmer.”

Dave & Helen were married in 1966 and have a son, Brad, a daughter, Kim, and four grandchildren, Lukas and Elaine, and Daniel and Douglas.

Aggie represents the American Sheep Industry on the Steering Committee. She has been a member since 1995, and is a past-chair of the GLCI Steering Committee. She and her husband, Joe run a range sheep opertation in Dillion, Montana. Aggie graduated from the Western Montana College of the University of Montana, in 1961. She is a member of the Montana Wool Growers, Society for Range Management, and the American Agri-Women. Aggie has served several leadership positions including President of the American Sheep Industry Women from 1991-1992, and Vice-President of the Agricultural Women's Leadership Network from 1992-1994. She and her husband, Joe, are co-recipients of the McClure Silver Ram Award for Outstanding Service to ASI in 1995. Aggie and Joe successfully raised three children on their sheep ranching operation.

Bob represents the American Forage & Grasslands Council on the Steering Committee and has served the National GLCI since January 2012.

Larry represents the United Farmer's Union on the Steering Committee and has served the National GLCI since February of 2011.

Duane represents the Dairy Industry on the Committee and has served the GLCI since November of 2005. Duane and his wife June live on a 400 acre dairy farm in Loysville, Pennsylvania. They started farming in 1970 in partnership with Duane’s father. In 1978 Duane and June moved to their own farm. They have four children and now enjoy eight grandchildren. Their son Joel is a millwright and resides in Mechanicsburg with his wife Tami and two children. Their daughter Heather resides in Florida with her husband Chris and two children. Their daughter Becky resides in a residential care facility in East Berlin. In 1998 son Neil returned from Liberty University to farm with his father. They formed a Partnership in 2002 with their son Neil and his wife Kilah. In 2009 Neil and Kilah moved to the main farm and Duane & June now live on the adjoining farm where the heifers are raised. Moo Echo Farms is located in Central Pennsylvania in Perry County and they have 300 milking cows and have approximately 300 younger replacement cattle. All cattle are managed by rotational intensive grazing on 367 acres of grassland and they rent an additional 300 acres where we grow Corn Silage,Tritacal and grass/hay production. Duane and June were named Mid Atlantic Master Farmers in the year 2000. Duane currently serves as vice chair on the Perry County Farmland Preservation Board, Pennsylvania Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission (Chairman of Dairy Cattle Commission) Pa and National GLCI Board, and past board member of Pa Beef Council, Pa. Forage and Grass Board, South Central Project Grass Board, and York And Ag choice Farm Credit Board. Duane is a producer trained as a practical dairy advisor for the Center for Dairy Excellences’s Dairy Profit and Target team Program and the Business Management team on Dairy Task Force. Duane and June are active members of a local nondenominational church and serve on various church committees. Moo Echo Farms believes that ‘’If we take care of our animals, they will take care of us.” Managed Intensive Grazing is the backbone for taking care of their herd. Since adopting grazing, the farm has been growing in cow numbers and also in adding four growing energetic boys to the mix. They are Keegan (9), Hudson (7), Talon (5) and Colton (3). We have been able to market about 30-50 dairy producing animals for sale to other dairies each year. We have been very active in promoting this philosophy of grazing cattle on grasslands and our passion for farming to have a sustainable future for our family.

Bob represents the National Cattlemen's Beef Association on the Committee and has been serving the GLCI since May of 2005. He and his wife, Kathy have been operating the Robert E. Lee Ranch Co., a commercial cow/calf operation, since 1967. Bob has won numerous awards including: the Environmental Stewardship Award Recipient NCBA; Range man of the Year; Montana Rural Area Development; Montana Range Days Hall of Fame; Montana’s Soil and Water Conservationist of the Year; Montana State University Agriculturist of the Year; Hunting Heritage Award; Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Distinguished Service Award; Montana Stock Growers Association; and the Montana FFA Appreciation of Support

Bob has served in several leadership roles including serving as the Chair of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee; and as Chair of the NCBA's Endangered Species, Property Rights, Natural Resources, and Enhancement.

Bob attributes his success education, goal setting, hard work, strong Christian family values, and having high expectations. Bob is a true Agriculturist! He tends the soil, the rangelands, and the environment with the utmost respect knowing from these three elements, his family derives their living.

Dick has served the GLCI Steering Committee since January of 2009. He represents the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Dick was born and raised on his family's farm with the Shorthorn herd that continues to this day. The family farm was owned since 1880 and is now the entrance to the Pittsburgh International Airport. His love for the aircraft industry was instrumental in his joining the armed forces in 1956 and served for 3 years. After serving his country he furthered his education by acquiring his Maintenance Technician License and began his employment with Trans World Airline where he worked for 31 years. Along with his wife and family they relocated to the present day farm operation in Hookstown, PA, after being displaced by the expansion of Pittsburgh International Airport in 1971. He continued his love for conserving the land, raising cattle and raising his family. Shorthorns have been a part of the family for 5 generations. Dick and Kay bought the 100 acres in Hookstown in 1971. The family leases an additional 250 acres around the township. They run approximately 150 head of registered Shorthorns. Situated among the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, McElhaney Stock Farm is located in Hookstown, PA on the outer edges of suburban Pittsburgh. McElhaney Stock Farm was the recipient of the NCBA Region 1 Stewardship Award in 2004. The McElhaney’s also operate a retail meat business at the farm; at three local Farmer’s Markets and provide beef for two Community Supported Ag (CSA) programs.

The McElhaney’s are involved in many organizations to support conservation, grazing and the future of agriculture:

National GLCI Steering Committee Board Member
Beaver-Lawrence County Farm Bureau–Director
PA Farm Bureau State Legislative Committee Member
PA Farm Bureau State Natural Environmental Resource Committee-Member
National Farm Bureau Legislative Committee-Member
Washington County Cattlemen’s Association–Director
Columbiana/Mahoning/Trumbull Counties Cattlemen Association–member
Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association–Member
Ohio Cattlemen’s Association–Member
Virginia Cattlemen’s Association–Member
WV Cattlemen-Member
Pennsylvania Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative–Director
Southwestern Project Grass–Past Director
Pennsylvania Project Grass-Past Steering Committee Member
Pennsylvania Shorthorn Breeder’s Association–Member (Past President & Past Director)
American Shorthorn Association–Member
Hookstown Fair Livestock & Beef Superintendent–Retired after 17 years
Pennsylvania Livestock Association-member
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association-Director
Northwest Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association
Beaver County 4-H Stockman’s Club-originator
Past leader Beaver County Conservation District Cooperator of the Year

Tim represents the Soil & Water Conservation Society on the Steering Committee, and has been a GLCI member since 1999.

Pat respresents the Society for Range Management and has served on the GLCI Steering Committee since August of 2004. She currently sits on the Florida Grazing Lands Committee board and the Florida Society for Range Management board. Pat also serves on the PPLC of the SRM and is co-chair the SRM-GLCI committee with Jeff Goodwin. She managed the Carlton 2x4 Ranch until 2006 when it was sold, and continues to assist, along with her husband, as the Natural Resource Managers for the Carlton family holdings in Florida and Georgia. She and Brady maintain a brangus commercial cow herd, timber lands and work to enhance wildlife opportunities for the family and some commercial hunting interests.

Gretchen represents the National Association of Conservation Districts and has served on the Steering Committee since the 1990's! She is the owner of the Chase Ranch in Cimerron, New Mexico, which was established by her greatgrandparents in 1867. Gretchen has lived and worked on her family's ranch since she was born, and is a legend in ranching and conservation. She was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1986, and in 2007 she was named New Mexico's Cattleman of the Year.

Margaret Soulen-Hinson represents the American Sheep Industry on the Steering Committee and has served since 2005. She is a third generation livestock producer. Along with her father, Phil Soulen, and brother, Harry Soulen, she runs a range sheep and cattle operation. Soulen Livestock runs approximately 8,000 head of ewes and 1,000 cows. They have been in business since the early 1920’s. Their business is headquartered in Weiser, Idaho and operates in six Idaho counties. Soulen Livestock’s base property is comprised of approximately 50,000 acres that is used in conjunction with various state, BLM, Forest Service and private land leases. Margaret attended the University of Idaho from 1974-1979 majoring in Special Education and Elementary Education. After graduation she came back to the family livestock business and has been actively involved in various industry associations. Margaret is past chairman of the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission. Margaret currently is a member of the University of Idaho’s Citizen’s Advisory Board for the Policy Analysis Group and an advisory board member for the College of Natural Resources. She is on the board of directors for Associated Taxpayers of Idaho, an advisory board member for the Center for Conservation Incentives, and serves on the Third Judicial Magistrate Commission. She chairs the Weiser Memorial Hospital Board, and is on the executive board for the American Sheep Industry.

From Lehi, Utah, representing the National Farmer's Union.

From Victoria, Texas, representing the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

From Paradise Valley, Nevada, representing the National Association of Conservation Districts.

From Amherst, Virginia, representing the American Forage & Grasslands Council.

Dunlap, Tennessee

Crowley, Texas

Shoshoni, Wyoming

Picabo, Idaho

Lomira, WI

John represented the American Forage & Grasslands Council on the Steering Committee, and served as a full member since June of 2000. He was raised on a small grain and dairy farm in west central Arkansas, and is a graduate of University of Nebraska with a degree in business. He and his wife Becky have two daughters Lisa and Mandy. After a 21 year career in the Air Force, John returned to Arkansas to become Owner Operator of J & B Ranch – a purebred/crossbred Saler Beef Cattle operation that also produces “further processing” turkeys for Cargill Inc. He is a board member and past president of County Farm Bureau, Past Chairman of the State Farm Bureau Natural Environmental Resources Committee, and member of political action committee. John has also been a part of the following: past chairman and board member of Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council; member and chairman of Arkansas Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. His conservation awards include: Recipient of the “Goodyear Conservationist” award; received the “Environmental Excellence” award from the National Poultry Federation; received the “Crops, Soil and Environmental Science” award from the University of Arkansas. John joined the ranks of the Emeritus Members in January 2012. Thank you John for your many years of dedicated service to the GLCI and our Nation's grazing lands!