Who We Are

Bob and Jane Sanders and Rob and Carla Sanders families 

Cow/calf and stocker operation in Frenchglen, Oregon

Roaring Springs Ranch of Frenchglen, Ore., was purchased in 1992 by the Bob and Jane Sanders and Rob and Carla Sanders families. The cow/calf and stocker operation sustains more than 6,200 head of cow/calves and 150 horses, and produces 2,500 acres of meadow hay and 1,200 acres of alfalfa annually. Roaring Springs Ranch’s operation utilizes more than 1 million acres of diverse lands, including 249,798 deeded acres, 735,359 acres leased from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 22,000 acres of private leases and 4,640 acres leased from the state of Oregon.

The Sanders’ family main goal for the operation is to be economically, ecologically and socially sustainable. The vast size and elevation variance of the ranch provides high-quality forage for year-round grazing. By matching the livestock production cycle with the native plant nutrition provided by stewardship efforts, the ranch eliminates the use of stored feeds.

With a diverse ecosystem of forage and wildlife, Roaring Springs Ranch initiated and implemented the Catlow Valley Fishes Conservation Agreement, which removes threats to the native fish species and reestablishes them to their native range. Creating partnerships and cooperative agreements to stop the spread of evasive species, improve wildlife habitat, educate future agriculturalists and implement proper management techniques is a focus of the operation.

Roaring Springs Ranch manages the environmental challenges that come with utilizing multi-use public lands. In cooperation with BLM, the Roaring Springs Ranch instituted a prescribed fire program on more than 100,000 acres to restore upland watershed health. This partnership has not only benefited the watershed, but has increased forage for wildlife and livestock.

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