#United States #Ardmore #Noble Research #G Bar C Ranch #Ellis Family

G Bar C Ranch Recognized with the Inaugural Noble Land Stewardship Award

On October 22, 2025, the Noble Research Institute held its first annual Roots Revelry event in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where it proudly presented the inaugural Noble Land Stewardship Award to G Bar C Ranch and the Ellis family from Rosston, Texas. This award is designed to acknowledge dedicated farmers, ranchers, and landowners who exemplify exceptional regenerative land management practices.

G Bar C Ranch was selected due to its unwavering commitment to regenerative agriculture, which has successfully transformed 3,000 acres of land into a thriving model of biodiversity and sustainable cattle production. The ranch was founded in 1982 when GC Ellis purchased 450 acres to realize his dream of working in ranching. Today, it supports a herd of more than 200 Black Angus mother cows while diligently upholding the natural ecosystems and clean waterways that define its landscape.

Meredith Ellis, the next generation in ranching and daughter of GC Ellis, along with her family, has meticulously cataloged over 660 species of flora and fauna, including plants, animals, and birds. The ranch has received notable recognition for its conservation efforts from the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association and has been honored with the 2023 National Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. As part of its commitment to advancing farming practices, G Bar C Ranch also serves as a participant in the Metrics, Management, Monitoring (3M) Project, a comprehensive study focused on grazing, soil health, and the well-being of farmers and ranchers, worth $19 million and spanning five years.

At the heart of G Bar C Ranch's management philosophy lies a sustainable partnership between cattle and the land, grounded in regenerative principles. According to Meredith Ellis, "You never want one part taking more at the expense of the other part. So, finding that perfect equilibrium where the cattle are helping the ecosystem, and the ecosystem is helping the cattle, is a balance that we always try to achieve." In her acceptance speech, Ellis expressed gratitude for the legacy built by her father and ranch manager Mike Knabe while acknowledging the ongoing journey ahead. "A rancher's work never truly ends. It just becomes part of the land carried on by the people and pastures that they've tended. We remain committed to advancing sustainable ranching and ensuring that our land and ranching community thrives for generations to come."

Noble Research Institute's President and CEO, Steve Rhines, praised the Ellis family for embodying the ideals that the award represents. He remarked, "They've proven that ranching and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, and their willingness to share what they've learned makes them ideal ambassadors for regenerative agriculture."

The Roots Revelry celebration also served as a reflection of the organization's founding vision established by Lloyd Noble in 1945, following the Dust Bowl. The belief that healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy nation continues to guide Noble’s mission. The event brought together partners, producers, and supporters to acknowledge the advancements made in regenerative land management over the years.

The Noble Land Stewardship Award aims to stimulate meaningful discussions around sustainable land use and motivate others in the agriculture community to follow the exemplary practices of leaders like the Ellis family. As the largest nonprofit organization focused on enhancing soil health and profitability on grazing lands, Noble Research Institute plays a vital role in providing education, applied research, and producer-centric solutions that support the advancement of regenerative farming and ranching nationwide.

For further details about the Noble Land Stewardship Award, interested parties can visit Noble Research Institute.

About Noble Research Institute

Noble Research Institute stands as the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving farm and ranch management, acting as a well-respected resource in agriculture since its inception. By offering education, research, and consulting services focused on regenerating soil health, the organization seeks to enhance the land, livestock, and livelihood of agricultural producers across the United States. With an extensive commitment to restoring American grazing lands, Noble actively manages 13,500 acres of working ranchlands, providing real-world insights and practical applications for farmers and ranchers.