Blog Archives - Page 2 of 9 - California Rangeland Trust

Providing Support for Future Generations

Nick and Karen Guriel own and operate Coles Cattle Company in San Luis Obispo and have been loyal donors to California Rangeland Trust for nearly twenty years.

WILLOW CREEK RANCH: BUILT AND STEWARDED WITH LEGACY IN MIND

Ranching is a way of life that demands resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to the land. It’s a tradition built on long days, hard labor, and a deep respect for nature. For many families, the ultimate goal isn’t just making it through the tough seasons or turning a profit—it’s ensuring that the land remains productive, healthy, and intact for the next generation.

SILACCI RANCH: KEEPING BEEF ON THE PLATE

In the Salinas Valley of California, known as the “Salad Bowl of the World”, a local ranching family is helping to ensure that there will always be protein on the plate.

For over 140 years, the Silacci family has called the Valley home – beginning when patriarch Bautista Silacci immigrated to Monterey County. After living in Moss Landing in the early 1880s, he decided to move inland to Salinas to work at a local dairy. In 1887, seizing an opportunity to establish roots on the land and in the industry, he purchased the dairy. Together, he and his family raised dairy cattle and cultivated various crops, contributing to the Valley’s notorious bounty.

Keegan Ranch: Ensuring Nature’s Colorful Tradition

Along the Valley floor between Three Sisters Summit and Walker Ridge in Colusa County lies a 10-mile stretch of rangeland, otherwise known as the Bear Valley. This landscape is not visible by freeways or main thoroughfares, yet every spring thousands of people flock to the area to catch a glimpse of some of the best remaining panoramas of Northern California’s wildflowers. These springtime super blooms have been around longer than many even realize thanks in part to the diligent stewardship of local, ranching families, like the Keegan family.

Conservation: A Cause for Celebration

When the Rangeland Trust is able to successfully conserve a piece of California’s working lands, it is cause for a celebration—another win in the fight to keep ranchers ranching and stave off conversion of these lands in the Golden State!

Landscape photo of the Hanson Ranch showing mountains and range.

Hanson Ranch: Planning for the Future

The question of succession weighs heavily on the mind of nearly every rancher: “Who will take over my ranch once I am gone?” According to the USDA, within the next two decades, approximately 70 percent of U.S. farming and ranching operations will confront this issue. While the next generation often assumes responsibility, this isn’t always the case, necessitating careful planning and arrangements to safeguard the operation into the future. For the late Louise Hanson, the original proprietor of the Hanson Ranch, a conservation easement emerged as a cornerstone of her estate planning.

Reunir 2024: Reuniting with our friends on the Central Coast

On February 8th, nearly 150 guests came together at The Maker’s Son in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara County, for the annual Reunir with the Rangeland Trust. For the last five years, this event has served to connect new and old friends over the appreciation of the western lifestyle and preserving it in the region. The many hugs and share conversations that were had truly captured the spirit of this beloved gathering!

Getting our Boots on the Ground at the Lone Oak Springs Ranch

To demonstrate our boots on the ground conservation efforts, the Rangeland Trust and local prospective ranching partner, Rick Taggard, welcomed 60 guests on February 10th to the Lone Oak Springs Ranch in Santa Maria, Calif. The event followed our annual “in-town” event, Reunir, which took place on February 8th at The Maker’s Son in Los Alamos.

A Round of Applause for 2023

After 25 years of conserving rangeland, this year stands out for so many reasons. With the support of our ranching partners, donors, and friends, we’ve hit a lot of milestones. But don’t just take our word for it… Look at all you’ve helped us accomplish in 2023!

Category: Blog

Keegan Ranch: Ensuring Nature’s Colorful Tradition

Conservation: A Cause for Celebration

Reunir 2024: Reuniting with our friends on the Central Coast

Getting our Boots on the Ground at the Lone Oak Springs Ranch

A Round of Applause for 2023

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