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Roger Johnson and his wife, Nancy, lead the life they've always dreamed. Their ranch is down a long and lonely dirt road in Pumpernickel Valley, south of Golconda, Nev. They generate their own power. Their 180,000 acres of BLM lease and deeded land are a haven for their cattle, goats, horses, turkeys, geese and guinea hens. Wildlife is abundant, too.
The Johnsons are especially proud of their 150 goats that devour noxious range weeds. "I'd like to build the herd to15,000 head," Roger says, "and get control contracts. With proper rangeland management and practices, I see the range supporting three to five times more critters and that means more working cowboys."
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Roger's twin brother, David, is project manager at the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge. His father retired as head of U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service's Lower Klamath and Tulelake National Wildlife Refuges.
Roger spent 18 years as northwestern Nevada's water commissioner before purchasing the ranch.
"We adhere to the Holistic Management concept pioneered by Allan Savory,ä Roger says. He and his twin brother have a lot in common. ãBoth of us are working to make the range better. Both of us want to leave the world a better place."
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