|
For Marilyn Mackey, stewardship is not a concept. It is a way of life.
A fourth-generation Wyoming rancher, Marilyn lives and works in the heart of coal, oil, and gas country, where agriculture, energy development, and environmental responsibility intersect every day. Her deep respect for Wyoming’s land and resources has guided a lifetime of thoughtful collaboration with industry, ensuring that her ranching operations, wildlife habitat, water resources, and energy development can coexist responsibly. That lived experience shapes everything she brings to Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC).
Marilyn’s connection to WAIC spans decades. As early as 2002, she and her family opened the Mackey Ranch to educators participating in WAIC’s Food, Land and People workshop, offering teachers a firsthand look at working ranch stewardship in practice. The experience left an impression on participants, many of whom described the tour as a highlight of the workshop and credited it with inspiring them to bring agriculture and natural resource activities into their classrooms.
When asked what inspired her to say “yes” to serving on the WAIC Board, Marilyn points squarely to education. She believes that Wyoming students deserve factual, balanced information about the industries and resources that sustain their state. Through WAIC, and especially the Wyo Wonders curriculum, she sees an opportunity to ensure students understand not only agriculture, but also the critical role of minerals, oil, gas, and other natural resources in Wyoming’s economy and communities.
What makes her most proud when she talks about WAIC is the spotlight it shines on Wyoming: its industries, its people, and its resources. She values the way WAIC connects young people to the land and to the men and women who care for it, fostering understanding rather than division.
Marilyn’s vision for Wyoming’s future is clear: communities united by shared understanding, industries stewarded responsibly, and young people excited to build their lives here. She believes WAIC plays a critical role in making that future possible, one student at a time, by equipping the next generation with knowledge, context, and respect for the resources that make Wyoming great.
Her message to supporters is simple and powerful: involvement matters. Education matters. And when students are given the opportunity to learn the full story of Wyoming’s land, resources, and industries, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
Gillette & Wright Spotlight
As a proud resident of Gillette, Marilyn Mackey embodies the spirit of a community deeply rooted in Wyoming's rich natural resource heritage. Known as the 'Energy Capital of the Nation,' Gillette showcases the strength and diversity of Wyoming's resources, from coal and oil to the resilient people and industries that sustain them.
Looking ahead, communities like Gillette will continue to shape Wyoming's future, demonstrating how energy and responsible stewardship can go hand in hand.
This summer, we will be hosting our supporters to celebrate this connection with a special event in Gillette and a professional development workshop in Wright on June 24th and 25th. Educators will have the unique opportunity to visit the Thunder Basin Coal Plant, gaining real-world insights into the systems that power our state and enrich our classrooms.
| 
