More often than not, conversations about land focus on what it provides: clean air, fresh water, local food, wildlife habitat, and more. These benefits are visible, measurable, and essential to the health and resilience of communities—a large part of why land conservation exists. Yet when ranchers are asked why they protect their land, their answers often go beyond environmental benefits.
For Starr Reimer, life has always moved at a joyful, full pace. From training horses to caring for rescue dogs, all while staying deeply connected to her church, it’s no wonder she laughs and says, “There just aren’t enough hours in the day.”
At the end of February, the California Rangeland Trust joined fellow members of the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts (PORT) in Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and federal agency leaders about policies that help keep working lands intact.
The things you care about most can shift as you journey through life. As you grow and change, you can use our road map to help you make smart choices—no matter your season of life!
My name is Jazmin Rodriguez, and I recently graduated from the University of California, Davis, where I majored in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. I grew up in California’s Central Valley, though I did not have a strong personal connection to agriculture beyond living near dairies and almond orchards. My passion for agriculture began in high school when I joined FFA and discovered a bright future for myself within the industry. To continue nurturing this passion, I pursued experiences at UC Davis, including serving as an Aggie Ambassador, working at the Student Farm, and seeking opportunities to expand my understanding of the agricultural landscape.
Tom Galli grew up on a piece of land where he didn’t need to cross any roads. “As a kid, I could just walk out into my backyard…and keep going.”
A few generations ago, if you asked someone on the street whether they or their family worked in agriculture, chances are the answer would have been yes. Today, that connection has largely faded. Many people are now generations removed from the land, feeling increasingly disconnected from where their food comes from and from the people who produce it.
Under a nearly full harvest moon at Rancho Santa Barbara, more than 400 guests gathered on October 4 for A Western Affair 2025—an unforgettable evening celebrating California’s working lands and the ranching families who steward them. Set against the historic adobe buildings and rolling hills of this storied ranch, the event reflected the California Rangeland Trust’s enduring mission: to serve the land, people, and wildlife by conserving the Golden State’s working rangelands.
The Jackson family has deep roots in Santa Barbara County. Charles Hervey “Pete” Jackson, Jr. was an entrepreneur, horseman, and polo player who had ventured west from New York to Santa Barbara and fell in love with the West coast lifestyle. In 1944 he bought the Alisal Ranch at auction. Along with his wife, Ann Gavit Jackson, they built the Alisal into a successful cattle operation and luxury dude ranch. But they didn’t stop there. The couple was involved in a variety of other pursuits in Santa Barbara including horse breeding and racing as well as real estate investments. Pete and Ann were also passionate about philanthropy and supporting nonprofits in their community.
Ranching legacies don’t endure by chance. They’re forged by grit, determination, innovation, and resilience. These operations survive because their caretakers look beyond the present, toward generations they may never meet. And although no crystal ball can predict what lies ahead, ranching families carry forward the hard-earned wisdom of those who came before them while finding the courage to forge new paths of their own.
California Rangeland Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 31-1631453) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
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