ranching sustainability self assessment ranchers: george work, steve sinton, chuck pritchard, aaron...
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Ranching Sustainability Self AssessmentRanchers: George Work, Steve Sinton,Chuck Pritchard, Aaron Lazanoff, Kevin Kester,Jack Varian, Cliff Garrison
UC Extension: Bill Tietje, Royce Larsen
NRCS: Karl Striby
SUSTAIN: Land, Families, Business
TALK OUTLINE:• ISSUES
• DEVELOP/IMPLEMENT
• HURDLES/ACCOMPLISH
War, Famine, Pestilence, Death
2013: Driest yr. on record
I. Rancher Issues & Concerns!#1. Weather―e.g., Drought
2010
2013
CA
CA
“Random” Weather
“NormalConditions”
CA Climate 101
3. PUBLIC PERCEPTION“If we (through the RSA) can teach the public what ranchers do, why they do it, and how ranching benefits the larger community, we can increase public acceptance of ranching.”―Jack Varian–V-6 Ranch
2. REGULATIONS
“Eventually the pinpricks to the elephant will bring it down.”
―Jack Varian–V-6 Ranch
Rancher Issues & Concerns!
“Sure, it’s a great invention, but does in comply with all government guidelines?”
#4: ARE WE DOING THE BEST WE CAN?
But, most importantly!
TheModel
Be Proactive & Positive
“Forget about building a web and waiting: Lets Be Proactive!”
“Okay, now I know what they expect.”
RancherCommittee
Assessment CategoriesLivestock ManagementSoil ManagementForage ManagementBiodiversity/Wildlife ConservationRegulations and RegulatorsPeople ManagementEconomicsEnergyMonitoringPest ManagementWater Quality________________
RSA Questionnaire
II. Develop/Implement RSACollaborators
RCD
How RSA Works: E.g. #1Category: Family & Worker RelationshipsQ: “Rank your list of ranch goals for family and workers.”
No Written Goals:RSA Score = 1
Written goals & periodic updates:RSA Score = 6
Benefit:All work towardcommon goals
“Create communication within the family.”
E.g., #2:Category: Forage ManagementQ: “How well do you leave the proper amount of RDM?”
Inappropriate RDM: RSA Score = 2
Appropriate RDM:RSA Score = 5
Benefit:Improves range
quality
E.g., #3:Category: Economics/DiversificationQ: “How diversified is your income?”
Cattle only:RSA Score = 3 Cattle + Hunting, Trail Rides,
Watchable Wildlife:RSA Score = 6
Benefit:Diversified
income +
Implement RSA: Workshops & Tailgates
Workshop
Tailgate
General Agenda• RSA 101• E.g., Proven Program• Rancher Panel• Hands-on RSA―”clickers”• Get ‘um to Come
LUNCH
Rancher Panel
Hands-on―”clickers”
Current RSA Workshops
WildlifeCameras
RSA Pg. 12―How complete is your drought plan to protect current & future investments?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0%
28%
16%
4%
8%
24%
20%
Never Always
War, Famine, Pestilence, Death
RSA Pg. 9―To what extent have you considered a Conservation Easement?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
22%
4%
11%
33%
11%11%
7%
Never Always
RSA Pg. 12―How diversified is your income (cattle, hunting, agritourism)?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
4% 4%
12%
8%
28%
20%
24%
Never Always
Pic.: Royce Larsen
III. RSAHurdles
Collaborative
Voluntary & Confidential
“By & For Ranchers”
RCD
SRM 2015
RSA Gaining Traction
“Oddly enough, banana peels are gaining traction.”
What Hope to Accomplish W/RSA?
http://ucanr.org/rsa
• Think about how to deal with Issues/Concerns
END
• Teach/Learn Extension Develop/Direct Outreach
• Make Plans/Demonstrate Sustainability