July 18 - Grassland Restoration Plan Douglas, Wyoming

Many landowners are now faced with the current threat of selling out. Several questions that producers face concern the integrity of the land and its function as an agricultural operation free of development. Ben and Pauline Middleton had the same concern like many other producers. A Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) was put into place to do just that; “Restore and Protect Grazing Land."  Funding and technical assistance from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Forest Service and Commodity Credit Corporation helped get the project underway in the application, ranking process, contracts, and easement planning.

The Middleton’s hold several cultural diverse areas on their property. The town site of Hammond, Wyoming, an early 1900’s town, sits at the foothills of Wagonhound Peak. Complete with post office, school and homestead this town consisted of one family with several children. A concrete plate is set into the earth in front of the post office dated 1930 where locals would come to get their mail. This among other things like tee pee rings, tree mill and name carvings on limestone cliffs add to the diversity in the area. Land protection is the highest priority along with energy protection to save the view-scape and surface from disturbance.

This piece of property is essentially landlocked by neighbors, the Wagonhound Ranch and Sullivan’s, making access to this property harder than usual. A permanent easement was put into place for 2,621 acres with 5 acres excluded which is part of the homestead area. With this protected easement they will have limited rights with what they can do with the land, but they work the property normally with some help from agencies to improve the habitat on their property for livestock and wildlife. Several watersheds come through their property and are important to habitat diversity. The easement and conservation program gives assistance for grazing management, increasing plant and animal biodiversity, and protecting grasslands by buying developing rights. The range conservationist will rate the range good, moderate, or poor condition and assess accordingly for help funding.

Funding has been in place, yet the process is still underway to finish the easement. The Middleton’s land is protected from future threats like residential and energy development through GRP while improving the habitat for many native species. Surveying issues are the main concern at this time with section corners not meeting up after surveying this spring. With this issue fixed the Middleton's will keep in contact with the NRCS Field Office to make sure they are staying within the restrictions stated in the easement agreement.

Looking north on the Middleton property towards Douglas.

Grant Stumbough, Andi Meyer, and Ben Middleton look over a grave of a young girl who lived in Hammond, Wyoming.

Tim Schroder, Haley Lockwood, and Pauline Middleton

Looking north west towards a water cistern placed along the hill.

The Hammond, Wyoming post office and homestead.

Concrete stone stating: Hammond, WY Post Office 1901-1930

Side of the old School house

Grant Stumbough and Ben Middleton looking at an old cook stove in a band of willows.

The limestone cliffs hold several name and brand carvings like this one called
the X H Bar