EVENTS

Holistic Management International Workshop at the Leo Unit, May 19, 2026.

Rancher Discovery: Find Your Model. Know Your Numbers. Profit on Purpose.

Dates: May 19, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM CT

Location: Leo Ranch, Dixon Water Foundation

5190 Co Rd 398, Decatur, TX 76234, USA

Overview

Are you ranching the way you do because it works — or because it’s how it’s always been done? This isn’t a seminar. It’s a conversation among ranchers who asked hard questions, rebuilt their business models around what they’re actually good at, and made their land pay.

Registration and More info here:

https://www.holisticmanagement.org/programs/rancher-discovery%3A-profit-on-purpose

Practical tools to make confident decisions, work cattle effectively, and steward your land through dry conditions.

Dates: April 30 – May 2, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM CT, ends at noon on May 2.

Location: Mimms Ranch

1001 N Austin St, Marfa, TX 79843, USA

For more information and to register, please visit this link:

https://www.holisticmanagement.org/programs/success-through-drought

Small Producers Initiative Workshop

At Dixon Water Foundation’s Leo Ranch, Decatur, TX

4/30/26-5/1/26

Join us for this 2-day workshop led by Holistic Management International (HMI) at the Dixon Water Foundation’s beautiful Leo Ranch in Decatur, TX.

This hands-on field event will help land stewards achieve better results through observation and interpretation. We will spend time on the land at Dixon Water Foundation, learning what to look for in your pastures so you can better understand what has happened in the past, and what would be best to do in the future.

Practical demonstrations and real-world examples will improve your skills in making grazing decisions that align with your soil, rainfall, livestock, finances, and goals. Dixon’s ranch manager Jake McNamara will showcase their virtual fencing project and give you the opportunity to observe and discuss their livestock. We’ll see a demonstration of how they do their biological monitoring and use this data to achieve their ecological goals.

REGISTER HERE

Working with Bale Grazing to Recover Soil Health

Dixon Water Foundation will be participating in a webinar to discuss how bale grazing has been used on Foundation ranches to help recover soil health on abandoned oil and gas pads and in areas impacted by drought.

Please follow the link above for more information .

“Water in the Desert returns to Alpine, February 11-13, 2026! Join the ongoing conversation with landowners, scientists, policy makers and community members as we dive deep into the complex and pressing water issues of our desert region.

As a direct result of the inaugural Water in the Desert conference held in early 2024, a new water research center is being launched at Sul Ross State University. At the February 2026 conference, strategic priorities for science and research will be presented. The center is being established to support local groundwater districts, landowners, counties, cities and communities as we seek science-based solutions for sustainable water together.”

Register here or visit link below

WATER IN THE DESERT 2026

🦉 Calling all wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists!

Join us for Alpine Wildlife Weekend, January 30-February 1, 2026 in Alpine, Texas—a weekend dedicated to Texas wildlife research, education, and conservation.

Featured Programming:

Keynote presentations and panel discussions
Research presentations from Borderlands Research Institute graduate students
Owl walks and guided habitat hikes led by wildlife biologists
BONUS: Enter to win 3 nights at the Holland Hotel by signing up for the Visit Alpine newsletter. Winner announced January 9, 2026.

This year’s spotlight: OWLS in the Davis Mountains

Perfect for researchers, educators, birders, and anyone passionate about Texas wildlife conservation.

Details: visitalpinetx.com/wildlife

#WildlifeConservation #TexasWildlife #AlpineTexas #WildlifeResearch #ConservationEducation

Time & Location

September 19 – 20, 2025

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM CST

Leo Ranch, Dixon Water Foundation

5190 Co Rd 398, Decatur, TX 76234, USA

About the event

Following our last workshop on an introduction to effective livestock handling, Cattle Up—led by Dawn Hnatow, Holistic Management International, and Dixon Water Foundation—are back with a follow-up event designed to deepen your understanding and skills.

Building on the philosophy and techniques of Bud and Eunice Williams, this follow-on workshop will offer next level insights and hands-on practice to help livestock producers further refine their livestock handling capabilities. 

One of their core beliefs is that when livestock is handled properly, animals will develop trust and respect (not fear) which translates into a wide variety of positive results including better weight gain, less sickness, easy gatherings, efficient corral work and happier handlers.

Comments from the April 2025 training: “This is one of the easiest  ways to improve your operation.”  “Dawn teaches in a way that makes sense!  I am so happy I took this course.”

We’ll have hands-on opportunities for cattle and sheep work.  Space is limited to 30 participants.

Don’t let the cost deter you from attending. We have partial scholarships available for this program!

Apply for a scholarship!

Lodging

Check out this hotel to stay near the event venue:

Fairfield Inn & Suites Decatur at Decatur Conference Center – With Pool

Thank you to our host and funder, the Dixon Water Foundation!

Your Presenter(s):

Dawn Hnatow is the owner and founder of Cattle Up Stockmanship. She was born into a ranching family in Canada. She has worked with livestock her entire life and spent numerous years under the mentorship of Bud Williams. Their many years together forever changed the trajectory of her life and she now spends her time passing on the wealth of knowledge she gained during those countless experiences.