“The future of Wyoming agriculture is vital to feed families, strengthen our communities and provide food for the nation,” Governor Gordon said in the video statement released on October 10, 2025. “We are going to build on a legacy of innovation and resilience to create financial and educational opportunities that leverage research to support local producers.”
Through the new initiative, Governor Gordon has appointed a 13-member working group made up of agricultural leaders, university officials, legislators, and county commissioners. The group will develop a strategy to invest in education, applied research, and innovative farm and ranch management practices.
The effort aims to ensure Wyoming’s agricultural businesses remain competitive while addressing challenges ranging from soil health and water conservation to workforce training and rural economic sustainability.
Wyoming Department of Agriculture Director Doug Miyamoto said the initiative underscores the cultural and economic importance of the industry. “Agriculture is the backbone and also a large part of the personality of Wyoming. This is our chance to steward our industry and leave it better than we found it,” Miyamoto said.
The University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Natural Resources is expected to play a central role, linking the state’s agricultural producers with new research on regenerative practices and ag-tech innovations. Areas of focus may include soil carbon measurement, advanced irrigation systems, livestock nutrition, and adaptation to climate-related pressures in arid and high-altitude regions.
Wyoming’s approach aligns with national and regional trends emphasizing agricultural resilience amid increasing climate variability. According to USDA data, over 30% of Wyoming’s cropland relies on irrigation, making water-efficient technologies a cornerstone of future productivity.
Governor Gordon’s announcement during Agriculture and Energy Day reflects Wyoming’s broader effort to integrate its two dominant sectors—agriculture and energy—into a unified strategy for rural sustainability. The state’s energy transition plans already include investments in renewable fuels and bioenergy research, areas that could directly benefit from agricultural innovation.
By strengthening ties between education, local producers, and public policy, the Cowboy State Agricultural Initiative signals a commitment to sustaining rural economies and maintaining Wyoming’s role in national food and energy security.
The working group will deliver its first recommendations in early 2026, outlining both near-term actions and long-term strategies to ensure that Wyoming’s farms and ranches remain viable for generations to come.
Governor Gordon emphasized that agriculture’s future depends on innovation rooted in Wyoming’s values of hard work and stewardship. “Our ag and energy industries have created generations of jobs,” he said. “This initiative will make sure they continue to do so.”
