PROJECT OUTLINE
A-Issues to be covered
1-Inheritance Tax. The impact of current tax law on the ability to pass a ranch on to the next generation
2-Succession. Whether the next generation will be there to take over the ranch
3-Water rights. The impact of cities buying and diverting water from the land
4-Energy. Oil and wind energy companies interests in buying land and exploring on government land
5-Taxation. Increasing tax rates due to recreational impact and intensive agriculture
6-Climate change. The hardships caused by extended drought conditions
7-Labor. The ability to find workers to fill the jobs on a working ranch
B-Structure
1-Three to five visits to each of the three ranchs that will serve as the focus of each issue during different seasons over the production period. Each ranch is in a different state in the West to emphasis the national scope of the issues.
2-Separate visits by writer as needed
3-Sidebar subjects such as rodeos, cowboy gatherings and stock shows to illustrate the lifestyle
Timing
1-Production through December 2016
2-Edit complete by May 2017
3-Premiere Fall 2017