Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch in Kansas: History, What It Raises, How It Makes Money and How to Contact It
Profile updated November 2026
Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch is a crop and cattle operation near Scott City, Kansas, that received the 2018 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award. Coverage in High Plains Journal describes about 9,000 acres along the Smoky Hill River and about 10,000 acres in Scott County, roughly 19,000 acres in all, run by Stacy Hoeme and his son Chaston.
| Location | Scott City, Scott County, Kansas, with land along the Smoky Hill River |
|---|---|
| Founded | Not published; the family has led on conservation for more than 40 years |
| Sectors | Crop farming; cattle grazing; wildlife habitat |
| Scale | About 9,000 acres on the Smoky Hill River and about 10,000 acres in Scott County |
| Why it is elite | 2018 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award; Stacy Hoeme twice named Conservationist of the Year by the Kansas Wildlife Federation |
| Ownership | Family operation run by Stacy and Chaston Hoeme |
| Official website | Sand County Foundation 2018 Leopold Conservation Award announcement |
History of Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch
The Hoeme family has been on the cutting edge of conservation for more than 40 years, according to High Plains Journal. The family received the 2018 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award, with a $10,000 prize, announced November 19, 2018 at the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts convention in Wichita.
Sand County Foundation, KACD and Ranchland Trust of Kansas present the award. Stacy Hoeme has also been twice named Conservationist of the Year by the Kansas Wildlife Federation.
What Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch Grows and Raises
The farm uses limited tillage and crop rotation for soil health and water use. The grazing program includes rest periods to maintain prairie productivity, ponds are fenced to protect water quality and solar-powered pumps water livestock.
Food plots feed deer, pheasants, bobwhite quail and migrating songbirds, and standing grain is left for wildlife in deep snow. Their land hosted the largest study of lesser prairie chickens, supported mule deer research and supplied swift foxes for a reintroduction in South Dakota. A conservation easement is planned for the ranch.
How Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch Makes Money
Crops
The operation does crop farming in Scott County and along the Smoky Hill River; award coverage describes limited tillage and crop rotation but does not publish crops sold or revenue.
Cattle grazing
Cattle graze native range under a program that includes rest periods, which protects forage for the herd.
Wildlife and research partnerships
Habitat work supports research and reintroduction projects, and a planned easement shows how the family treats land protection as a long-term strategy.
Farm Insight: What Other Operators Can Learn from Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch
Soil health and wildlife are compatible with production. Limited tillage, rotation and rested pasture sit beside crop and cattle income on this operation.
Partner with researchers and agencies. Hosting studies builds standing with conservation groups and gives access to program help.
Leaving standing grain for the pheasants in deep snow is the kind of kindness that makes farm.FM reach for its softest farm satire. Our farm humor and ranch humor are happy to honor a family whose swift foxes ended up with a frequent-flyer record, and the farm jokes stay as friendly as a quail covey.
farm.FM calls itself the nation's first satirical farm site, and between the headlines it spins Tractor Tunes, country music for farmers; a good place to start reading is this farm.FM columnist's archive.
How to Contact Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch
No official farm website appeared in my research, so this is the Sand County Foundation announcement. Information as of November 2026.
Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Sand County Foundation announcement - Official 2018 Leopold award news
- High Plains Journal coverage - Independent report with acreage and practices
- USDA NASS Census of Agriculture - Official data on Kansas farms, cattle and land
- Kansas Livestock Association - State cattle producer association
- USDA Farmers.gov - Conservation and loan programs
Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch FAQ
Where is Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch?
Near Scott City in western Kansas.
What award did it win?
The 2018 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award.
How big is it?
About 19,000 acres, per High Plains Journal.
What conservation work is it known for?
Limited tillage, rested grazing, wildlife food plots and hosting prairie chicken research.
Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch is one example of what elite farm and ranch operations look like in Kansas. For more profiled operations, climate and market guidance, and programs available to producers in the state, read the Kansas farms guide on this site.