Marcella was raised in Amador County, where her family’s ranching history and the surrounding foothills nurtured her love for California’s wide-open spaces. Growing up surrounded by agriculture and involved in 4-H and FFA, she developed early experience in livestock, leadership, community service, and a deep appreciation for the people who care for the land.

She began her education at Modesto Junior College, earning an A.S. in Agricultural Business. She then attended the University of Wyoming, where she completed a B.S. in Agricultural Communications and Journalism with a minor in Applied Economics. Throughout college, Marcella took part in agricultural leadership programs that expanded her abilities in advocacy, relationship building, and supporting rural communities.

Committed to protecting the landscapes she grew up on, Marcella is grateful to contribute to an organization that shares her dedication to sustaining California’s rangelands and the families who depend on them.