S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Rooted in Experience, Growing Opportunity: The Pratt Family’s Investment in Working Landscapes
Scott and Mindy Pratt are investing in the next generation of Aggies through scholarships and experiential learning opportunities in the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.
Both graduates of USU in 1997 — Scott in animal science and Mindy in range science — their paths often overlapped across disciplines. Mindy later returned to earn a Master of Natural Resources in 2005.
“Scott was the agriculture major who couldn’t stay out of natural resources courses,” Mindy said. “And I was the natural resources student who nearly earned a degree in agriculture.”
That crossover perspective became foundational to how they see the world today.
“Farmers, ranchers, and natural resource professionals are all working toward the same goals,” Mindy said. “Clean water, clean air, healthy soils, and ecosystems that support the many uses we depend on.”
Inspired by those shared values — and by the university experience that helped shape them — the Pratts created the Leadership in Working Landscapes Scholarship Endowment. They also established the Pratt Leadership Award, an expendable scholarship that provides more immediate, flexible support for students. In addition, they have created internship opportunities through their company to help students build experience and explore career paths in land management.
Together, the two scholarship funds work in tandem — one building a lasting source of support for future generations, the other meeting students’ professional development needs in real time.
“Our goal is simple,” Scott said. “We want students to have hands-on opportunities that connect what they’re learning to the land and the communities they care about.”
For the Pratts, education extended far beyond the classroom. Both credit faculty mentorship, peer relationships, and involvement in professional organizations as pivotal to their success.
“Those connections were as important as what we learned in class,” Scott said. “They helped us feel like we were already part of our profession.”
That sense of belonging and responsibility has stayed with them. Today, through their work in vegetation management and rangeland ecology, they continue to navigate the same complex intersections between agriculture, conservation, and community.
For the Pratts, that intersection isn’t theoretical — it’s their career.
As owners of PMG Vegetation, Scott and Mindy have spent more than two decades managing nearly one million acres across the Western United States, using innovative, science-based tools to restore ecosystems, combat invasive species, and protect vital resources like the Great Salt Lake.
“There isn’t one right perspective when it comes to land use,” Scott said. “What we learned is that balance comes from bringing people together — people who care about the land for different reasons. That’s what makes solutions stronger.”
Mindy saw that lesson early on, when a high school range camp hosted by USU opened her eyes to possibilities she hadn’t considered.
“I realized I could still work on the land, even if I wasn’t staying on the farm,” Mindy said. “That experience changed everything for me.”
Now, they hope to create similar moments of discovery for today’s students — especially those from rural backgrounds.
“There are so many students who grow up on farms and ranches but may not realize the range of opportunities available to them,” Scott said. “We want them to see that they can stay connected to the land in meaningful and impactful ways.”
Their scholarships are designed to do just that, supporting not only academic pursuits but also internships, fieldwork, and engagement with professional communities.
Through their internship program at PMG Vegetation, students have the opportunity to interact with professionals from federal, state, nonprofit, and private sectors.
“This is another way we can introduce students to a number of different career paths while providing them with practical skills they can carry forward,” Mindy said. “We want students to build confidence — to explore, to ask questions, and to find their place in this field.”
For the Pratts, giving back is both a reflection and a renewal of their Aggie experience.
“This is our way of saying thank you,” Scott said. “Utah State shaped who we are. Now we want to help the next generation of Aggies build their own path.”
Mindy agrees.
“We didn’t always realize that giving like this was possible for us,” Mindy said. “But once we understood that we could make a difference now, it became something we were really excited to be part of.”
Together, their investment is helping bridge disciplines, strengthen communities, and prepare students to lead in the evolving landscape of agriculture and natural resources, ensuring that the legacy of working the land continues with purpose, collaboration, and care.
Like the Pratts, you can help students turn opportunity into impact. Create Your Aggie Impact by supporting scholarships and student-focused programs that create pathways for learning, leadership, and discovery. Together, we can ensure every Aggie has the chance to succeed.
Fieldwork continues after dark, reflecting the real-world environments where students gain hands-on experience in agriculture and natural resources.
Work in vegetation management often happens in the field and at all hours — experiences Scott and Mindy Pratt aim to make accessible to students.
Wetland landscapes like this highlight the balance between conservation and use that Scott and Mindy Pratt hope students will explore and lead.
Marshlands and mountain backdrops reflect the diverse environments that shape careers in agriculture, natural resources, and land stewardship.
Contact
Jeff BabikSenior Development Director, Agriculture and Natural Resources
406-890-3868
jeff.babik@usu.edu