At WAIC, we believe the foundation of a sustainable future begins with our youth, and that's why we're dedicated to instilling a sense of stewardship for Wyoming's natural resources through hands-on and place-based education.

FFA Students Teach Wyo Wonders

February 2025, Thermopolis, WY: WAIC is proud to partner with FFA students to bring environmental stewardship education to elementary classrooms. Becky Martinez is a middle school teacher and the middle school FFA leader in Thermopolis. In February, her FFA students taught Wyo Wonders lessons to 28 second graders from Ralph Witters Elementary. The FFA students used the Agriculture unit from Wyo Wonders.

This partnership reflects the shared mission of both organizations—while WAIC focuses on elementary education, FFA prepares the next generation of agricultural leaders, creating a meaningful connection between students of different ages.

Natrona County Ag Expo

February 12th-13th, 2025, Casper, WY: The Natrona County Ag Expo aligns with the mission of WAIC to provide hands-on agricultural education to students. The event offered interactive experiences that allow youth to engage directly with agricultural practices.

WAIC's Education Team attended the event. For two days, the team worked directly with third grade teachers while their students participated in the Ag Expo. The team provided teachers with three agricultural activities they can take back to their classrooms. Teachers touched base with their local Education Advocate (Carolyn Jacobs). Many of them reported using Wyo Wonders this school year in their classrooms! 

Jay Butler featured with a spring calf crop, original windmill, and solar well in Douglas, WY. This photo portrays the history and diversity of his operation.

Jay Butler, alongside his wife Linda and daughters Beth Butler and Karen Drumhiller, manages Robinson Ranch Company, LLC, a multigenerational family-owned ranching operation with deep roots in Wyoming's history located in Douglas, Wyoming. A homestead established in 1916 by Jay's great grandfather, Tom Robinson, Sr., the ranch evolved into an 18,000-acre sheep operation and now a diversified cattle ranch. Jay took full-time management from his grandfather, Tom Robinson Jr. in 2004. Five years later, Jay retired from teaching to focus solely on the ranch, which now includes 100 head of cattle and leases supporting an additional 300 pairs.

Under Jay’s leadership, Robinson Ranch has become a model for environmental stewardship, implementing sustainable practices such as rangeland monitoring, rotational grazing, the installation of solar wells, and wildlife-friendly fencing. Their efforts have significantly improved forage utilization, soil health, and biodiversity on their land.

Beyond the land, Jay has a long-standing commitment to community with an emphasis on its youth. Retiring from a successful career of teaching, he then served on the Converse County School Board where he led the sourcing of local beef for lunches among leading a variety of other notable projects. Since 2013, Jay has served with the Boys & Girls Club of Douglas—four of those years as board chair. Most recently, he finished a two-year term with the State of Wyoming Area Council, which covers all Boys & Girls Clubs of Wyoming.

In partnership with First Lady Jennie Gordon, who established the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, Jay leads the charge in Converse County, donating beef himself alongside securing 10-15 other locally donated animals, annually. He performs the pick-up, hauling, and delivery himself for the animals to be processed and ultimately delivered to all Boys & Girls Clubs across the state.

In 2003, Jay was honored as WAIC’s Educator of the Year (now accepting nominations for 2025!), due to his incorporation of innovative, place-based lessons on the family ranch (e.g., his students collected rangeland monitoring data). His students also received first-hand accounts of homestead life from Jay’s grandmother, Ella Robinson, and her sister, Marie Hageman, at the family homestead (photo below).

In recognition of their dedication to sustainable ranching and community involvement, Robinson Ranch was honored with the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, a remarkable honor and accomplishment.

Jay's field science class at Robinson Ranch. Captured: a Pioneer Living History Lesson with Jay's grandmother Ella Robinson, and her sister, Great Aunt Marie Hageman in 2003. Second row, Jay is on the left (red T-shirt), then Ella, and Marie in a white jacket.

WAIC is honored to have had the opportunity to visit with Jay about his family’s operation, community impact, and advice for the next generation of agricultural producers, featured below.

What were some of the challenges that you encountered in your journey to continuing/expanding your family’s generational ranch? Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self when starting out or to other younger ranchers?

“One of the biggest challenges was navigating how to ensure continuity while maintaining financial stability. This required creativity and a strong business mindset.

For young or beginning ranchers, my advice is simple: begin however you can. Start with a five-year lease if needed—it gives you flexibility with markets while building experience and capital. Be creative: lease land, take in livestock for others, and focus on building a track record.

It’s also critical to establish a good working relationship with a lending institution—whether that’s your local bank or programs offered by Farm Credit Services. I worked closely with Converse County Bank. Programs like NAP (Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program) provided by FSA (Farm Services Agency) offer drought protection that can serve as a vital safety net. Protect yourself early on, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn from those around you.”

Why is environmental stewardship crucial for ranchers? What advice (or resources) would you share with others in the industry who are looking to include environmental stewardship as a focus on their operation?

“For ranchers, our land is our livelihood. Environmental stewardship isn’t optional—it’s the key to long- term sustainability. A healthy ecosystem produces better forage for livestock, supports wildlife, and ensures the land remains productive for future generations.

I would highly recommend meeting with your local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) office. Their range conservationists offer practical advice on sustainable grazing and land health. We’ve benefited greatly from NRCS programs like EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program), which helped us improve efficiency and increase capacity. County conservation districts are another great resource with programs tailored to local agricultural needs.”

How has diversifying your stock and land use benefited your operation? Why is diversification important?

Jay understands and has a remarkable ability to monetize Wyoming’s natural resources to its maximum capacity, extending from food production to providing outdoor and natural resource experiences unique to Wyoming.

“Diversification has been essential to our success. Beyond cattle, we’ve incorporated agritourism—Pronghorn Antelope hunting, cabin stays, wildlife viewing, and birding tours (a major industry) on native grasslands. These activities not only bring in revenue but raise awareness of Wyoming’s unique ecosystems.

Energy development has also played a role. We work to negotiate surface-use agreements, with Oil & Gas companies in a way that benefits our ranch long-term. Wind energy is another great example—it provides passive income and serves a broader public interest, all while allowing us to maximize the profitability of our surface rights. At the end of the day, collaboration and compromising with energy companies leads to solutions that serve both the ecosystem and the larger community. With it, there comes stability.”

What qualities have been most important in building a resilient, community-focused operation?

“Ingenuity, collaboration, and a strong work ethic. I started out teaching full-time while running the ranch, which meant working late nights and early mornings. But I also leaned on partners who were working toward a shared end. Agriculture is hard work, and partnerships make it possible.”

For example, Jay and his family would help neighbors with branding, haying, feeding, etc. In return, they would reciprocate the help when the time arrived.

"I also believe deeply in giving back. Our community is part of our ecosystem. The ranch has been blessed, and it’s very rewarding to see the Robinson Ranch Scholarship at the University of Wyoming in the College of Agriculture and observing Douglas kids at the Boys & Girls Club thriving in the Jay & Linda Butler Art Classroom. 

And finally, we’ve worked to ensure our team feels invested—sometimes literally. We have sold cattle to employees so they can share ownership. That kind of investment creates pride in the work and strengthens the operation and its success.

Ranching is more than a business; it's a value rooted in passion. It’s our heritage. At the Robinson Ranch, we have put our blood, sweat, and tears to maintain this operation and, with it, the future that we want to create for our future generations.”