An Educational Opportunity

While most producers might view sharing their land with the public as a burden, Utah's Steve Osguthorpe has turned it into an opportunity.

"By staying here, we've had the opportunity to educate the public," he says of the arrangement to keep his sheep on land now used by a popular ski resort.

Osguthorpe has even had the chance to share his story with some well-known people. For instance, during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the "Today Show" and "Evening News With Tom Brokaw" were broadcast from The Canyons - the resort with which the Osguthopes are working.

"We got to know Katie Couric and Al Roker and some of the others quite well," Osguthorpe says. "We took them snowmobiling and out on horseback, and they were all impressed that the area was developed, but yet has been kept so natural."

This past summer Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton also visited the Osguthorpes and toured a forest rehabilitation project that is underway. Again, Osguthorpe says this was an opportunity to share firsthand with a political decision-maker the important benefits of production agriculture on the land.

Because of their ability to adapt to the tourism industry around them, the Osguthorpes have also been able to keep all of their children involved in the farm operation. The four oldest sons, who have finished college, help with the farm and operate snowmobile tours in the winter and guided horse tours in the summer.

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