From Conservation to Regeneration: American Conservation Coalition in Western Colorado
Written by Ryland Engelhart
September 9–11 | Grand Mesa, Colorado
This September, American Regeneration took a powerful step toward deepening our impact at the intersection of soil health, human health, and regenerative agriculture by partnering with the American Conservation Coalition (ACC) for an immersive influencer retreat in Western Colorado.
The ACC, known for activating young conservative leaders around environmental issues, hosted a gathering aimed at building bridges between political influencers and the natural world — from conservation to regeneration. With over 88,000 members nationwide and 10 regional chapters, ACC is uniquely positioned to amplify the regenerative message through a conservative, market-driven lens.
Why we went
American Regeneration was invited to join this retreat to introduce regenerative agriculture to a new audience and explore a potential partnership with ACC around the Common Ground for Common Good campaign. Our goal? To use storytelling, film, and coalition-building to turn more hearts, minds, and policy agendas toward a regenerative future — especially among young, politically engaged conservatives.
Who was there
About 20 young influencers — most with significant social media followings — gathered at a secluded lodge on a lake 10,000 feet above sea level near Grand Mesa. While many were new to environmental and agricultural issues, they were open, curious, and energized by the regenerative message.
This trip was about relationship-building: not only between individuals, but between networks, ideas, and emerging movements.
Immersed in the Landscape — and the Learning
Our days were full: rafting through canyons, hiking to petroglyphs, and horseback riding through Western States Ranches, one of the largest regenerative ranches in the region. This hands-on exposure to land stewardship brought our conversations to life in a tangible way.
We were joined on horseback by Congressman Jeff Hurd, who represents Colorado’s 3rd District — nearly half the entire state. His interest in regenerative agriculture was palpable. In conversation, he emphasized three key values of Western Colorado:
Education on how vital the West is to feeding the nation (Colorado is the 5th largest beef producer in the U.S.)
Grazing and ranching as a model of stewardship on both private and public lands
Cultural preservation through maintaining the West’s ranching and conservation heritage
He asked the group for advice on how to better use social media to communicate on behalf of his district and environmental priorities. We followed up by sending him the Common Ground film and discussed the possibility of co-hosting a screening for Colorado lawmakers to deepen understanding of regenerative agriculture at the policy level.
Sharing the message
One highlight was screening the 45-minute educational cut of Common Ground to this audience — our first time showing it live. The response was overwhelmingly positive, sparking deep, thoughtful conversations afterward. The group’s collective reach spans several million followers, offering tremendous potential to spread regenerative principles widely and authentically.
We’re now laying groundwork with ACC to:
Launch the Common Ground educational campaign across their chapters
Host screenings on campuses and in communities nationwide
Organize a second, more in-depth retreat at Sovereignty Ranch focused on soil health, food sovereignty, and practical regenerative skills
Looking ahead
This retreat marks a pivotal moment for our movement. We’re not only expanding our message — we’re expanding our messengers.
Through this experience, we’ve built relationships with:
New potential funders and advisors
Influential policy connectors in Washington D.C.
A vibrant cohort of young conservatives ready to be regenerative agriculture advocates
American Regeneration is committed to growing a big tent movement — one that spans ideologies and backgrounds but is united by a shared commitment to land, people, and future generations. This trip was a powerful reminder that common ground is not just a film — it’s a strategy, a campaign, and a vision for America’s regeneration.
