For more than four decades, Kim Barmann has been walking the talk of regenerative ranching on the same northeastern New Mexico rangelands her family has stewarded for over 150 years. As President of the Soil Health Academy board, Kim blends deep hands-on ranching experience with visionary leadership in conservation districts, watershed collaboratives, and producer networks. She is passionate about practical solutions that work on the ground, empower local communities, and connect healthy land to thriving rural economies.

Whether discussing the challenges of transitioning from conventional to regenerative practices, navigating family dynamics in multi-generational operations, or linking biodiversity with food system reform, Kim brings grounded wisdom, a collaborative spirit, and a rare ability to bridge the worlds of production, policy, and community action.

“I’ve seen firsthand how healthy soil transforms not just the land, but entire communities,” Kim says. “That’s why I give my time and heart to the Soil Health Academy. The hope in healthy soil is real, and I want others to experience it too. For me, this work is personal and helping others breathe new life into their land is my way of honoring my family’s ranching legacy and building a legacy of regeneration.”

“What excites me most about being a part of the Soil Health Academy is watching the light come on for producers, and when they realize they can heal their land, improve profitability, and strengthen their communities all at once. It’s powerful, it’s real and it’s within our reach.” – Kim Barmann