Pete Ferrell

Raised on a cattle ranch in the Flint Hills near Beaumont, Kansas, Pete Ferrell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Grinnell College in 1974.  He worked as a student archeologist near Cortez, CO, for two summers. During his archaeological work, Pete witnessed firsthand how a civilization can collapse due to the loss of topsoil. Later, as a ranch manager, he embraced “Nature as Measure,” a concept by The Land Institute’s co-founder Wes Jackson, as a guiding principle that led him to holistic, regenerative practices. Pete is also passionate about the welfare of the Tallgrass Prairie. As a longtime board member, Pete consistently drew on his knowledge of prairie ecology to inform his opinions on The Land Institute’s direction, continually confirming that we were developing an agriculture that performs like nature.

My most perennial trait is Trial and Error—I have learned far more from my ignorance than anything I thought was certain. When nothing is certain, anything is possible.

Read about how Pete is continuing a ranch legacy for future generations.

Learn about Pete’s role at Renewable Energy Farmers.

1995-2025 Board member at The Land Institute