A Divine Stewardship

There is an important synergy between man’s stewardship of natural resources and financial profitability.  A case study approach using Deseret Land & Livestock (DLL) can provide insight into why this linkage is important.

The understanding of the general public concerning land (natural resource) stewardship has changed dramatically since the Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.  Upon their arrival one of the first priorities was to plant crops and care for the small numbers of livestock they were able to bring along with them.  The very survival of these immigrants depended on their ability to harvest food from the land. 

Today, less than 2% of the population is involved in the production of food from our God given natural resources.  In fact most urbanites are now several generations removed from the farm or ranch, and have little understanding of the natural principles that govern resource health, productivity, and long term sustainability.

Deseret Live Stock Company was incorporated in 1891 by a group of prominent LDS families, most of which made the trek across the plains with Brigham Young.  The primary enterprise for these families was the production of lambs and wool.  The Ranch changed ownership several times between 1953 and 1983 when the LDS Church’s Farm Management Company (FMC) bought the property.  We will explore some of the history of the property and review the management strategy that has made DLL a well known resource management example for the west.

The Mission of FMC is: “…To Fill the Measure”.  The company also provides 7 guiding principles:  Land Based, Resource Right, Profit Motivated, Customer Centered, Empowered Leadership, Prepardness Aware, and Church Ensign.  The Mission Statement for DLL is: “Maximize profit while enhancing the ranch resources, being a part of the Community and an ensign of the Church”.

With the above as a guide the DLL team became very proficient at assembling 5-year plans and annual plans/budgets with specific measurable goals and objectives.  Each enterprise wrote their own annual plans that were required to fit holistically. The result is economic, ecological, and social wealth from the land.  In about 20 years the ranch resources were able to support approximately double the numbers of cattle and big game.  The diversity and abundance in species of wildlife and plants increased and profitability multiplied 4 fold.  During that same period the equity value of the ranch increased 6 fold.

Our natural resources were divinely created, it is our responsibility to provide stewardship so that they can bless mankind and meet the measure of their creation.