Who We Are
Our Heritage
Llano Seco is owned and operated by Carlyle Stewart. He has worked as a grazier, shepherd, herder, hired cowboy, ranch hand; and at one point in time, a minster and chaplain, titles that are less so identity markers and instead dependent upon the changing nature of the work and season of life. He descends from Fulani and Tuareg Pastoralists of the Sahelian and Saharan region of Northwest Africa; ethnic groups that have lived in close proximity for centuries. To these nomadic pastoral people, land stewardship and the rearing of cattle and sheep are passions and a way of life that have remained valuable cultural traditions for thousands of years. Carlyle is passionate about continuing these traditions. As a first generation rancher (on this side of the Atlantic) he entered full time production agriculture later in life. He worked for a time on cattle ranches on the Northern Plains in Central Montana before moving to New Mexico in 2023 to work on nearby cow-calf operation in Mora County, NM. He also works for the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union as the director of the AgWell program; an initiative focusing on wellness, holistic health, and suicide prevention among farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers.
Our Story
Llano Seco Land and Livestock LLC was started in 2025 in Northern New Mexico with the goal of utilizing adaptive grazing methods to improve the ecological integrity and resiliency of grassland ecosystems in the semi arid west. Llano Seco means "dry plains" in Spanish. This landscape evolved with the presence of herbivores that are essential for maintaining balance in these marginal zones that receive minimal rainfall. Our inspiration lies in the effectiveness of holistic management to improve soil, and to restore equilibrium to the landscapes we depend upon for life. There is an undeniable sacred connection between our communities, the lands we inhabit, and the animals we raise; acknowledgement of this connection is the foundation of everything we do, from the management decisions we make, to the motivation behind our work. Our core values are to improve the lands we steward for future generations and to produce meat and fiber that is regeneratively raised with love, care, and respect.
Our Team
When managing land and raising animals, humans may be the conductors, but we are reliant upon forces that are outside of our control. The relationships with our dogs and horses make this all possible. We work with guardian dogs, border collies, and quarter horses that we rely upon to stay true to our ethic of low stress stockmanship.
We value the partnerships and relationships that sustain us. Cooperative models of land management involve ensuring that we are not operating in isolation. We value our network of neighbors, friends, colleagues, mentors, and organizations that provide support.