A Texas cattle ranch has been recognized for transforming 3,000 acres into a model of regenerative management and biodiversity.
The G Bar C Ranch and the Ellis family of Rosston, Texas, received the inaugural Noble Land Stewardship Award from the Noble Research Institute during its first annual Roots & Revelry event on October 22. The award recognizes producers who demonstrate outstanding commitment to regenerative land management—balancing productivity, environmental health, and long-term sustainability.
Regeneration in Action
Founded in 1982 by G.C. Ellis, the G Bar C Ranch has grown from 450 acres to more than 3,000 acres and now runs a herd of over 200 Black Angus mother cows. Under the leadership of second-generation rancher Meredith Ellis, the family has catalogued more than 660 species of plants, animals, birds, and lichens on their working lands.
By focusing on soil health, managed grazing, and habitat preservation, the operation demonstrates how cattle and ecosystems can thrive together. The ranch’s practices have already earned recognition from the Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which presented G Bar C Ranch with the 2023 National Environmental Stewardship Award.
Data-Driven Sustainability
G Bar C Ranch also serves as a producer site for the Metrics, Management & Monitoring (3M) Project, a $19-million five-year study exploring the connection between grazing practices, soil health, and rancher well-being.
“You never want one part taking more at the expense of the other,” said Meredith Ellis. “Finding that equilibrium where cattle help the ecosystem and the ecosystem helps the cattle—that’s the balance we always strive for.”
A Vision Rooted in Stewardship
Noble Research Institute president and CEO Steve Rhines said the Ellis family embodies the organization’s mission to promote regenerative agriculture.
“They’ve proven that ranching and environmental stewardship go hand in hand,” he noted. “Their willingness to share what they’ve learned makes them ideal ambassadors for the movement.”
Presented alongside a bronze sculpture titled Keeper of the Land by Oklahoma artist John David Rule, the award celebrates a ranching legacy that began with the vision of Lloyd Noble in 1945—that healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy nation.
As Noble marks its 80th anniversary, the Land Stewardship Award aims to highlight producers who are shaping the future of beef production through regenerative principles and practical management.
For more information, visit www.noble.org.
