About
Ben Higgins, Agricultural Manager for Hearst Ranches, was awarded the ERM and was nominated for the National ERM for 2027. Ben oversees 156,000 acres of California rangelands, managing cow-calf herds in both San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties, and directs a successful grass fed beef program marketed through Whole Foods. He integrates traditional ranching with modern resource management by employing rotational grazing systems, ensuring efficient forage use, healthy livestock, protection of water quality, and the long-term sustainability of rangeland resources. Ben’s vision, skill, and commitment to both production and conservation exemplifying the highest standards of the Society for Rangeland Management
