San Luis Valley
George Whitten a third-generation rancher in the northern San Luis Valley, and wife Julie Sullivan practice Holistic Range Management. The 4,000-acre Whitten Ranch raises only organic, grass-fed cattle. The ranch also has a B.L.M. lease of 10,000 acres and an arrangement with the Baca National Wildlife Refuge to graze on the 94,000-acre refuge. From 1990 – 1994 George worked with Coleman Natural Beef producing natural and organic beef. He assisted in establishing national organic standards through the Organic Crop Improvement Association. George is a consultant for Holistic Management International assisting others in developing holistic approaches to cattle ranching. He and his wife bring an intern onto their ranch and teach the organic system during the year. George has been ranching organically for quite a while. He sells his product to Panorama Meats and locally.