Joe Franklin

2025 Davis College Distinguished Alumni Award

Joe Franklin of Christoval, Texas received his bachelor’s degree in range management from Texas Tech and a master’s degree in range science from Texas A&M University. In addition, he is a Certified Professional in Rangeland Management and a Certified Range Management Consultant. A seasoned rangeland management expert for more than four decades, Franklin served with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for 32 years, notably as a Rangeland Management Specialist. His extensive expertise includes a broad range of rangeland management practices such as grazing management, brush control, prescribed burning, and forage inventories. In 2014, after his retirement from the NRCS, he transitioned to a private consultancy, focusing on conservation planning, brush management, grazing management, and rangeland health assessments. He is an active member of the Society for Range Management. Honors include the Outstanding Young Range Professional Award. and the 1998 TS-SRM Fellow Award.