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Published byShavonne Owen Modified over 8 years ago
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Bren Central Coast Cattle Ranching Group Project
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Big Sur Land Trust Project Motivations An increasing number of ranchers in Monterey County seem to be selling their ranches for development. The Big Sur Land Trust would like to keep as many of the county’s ranches intact or available for grazing to: Maintain open space Reap the ecological benefits of ranching Provide a source of local food Maintain cultural benefits and connections with the land
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Ecological Benefits of Ranching?
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Our Approach – Part 1 Is there a grazing-land-conversion problem in Monterey County? If so, what is the extent of the problem? If not, can we project a problem in the future? This section will include: Past trends in ranch conversions Trends in ranch sales and ranch-land prices Present policy landscape in Monterey County Future scenarios in land use conversions
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Our Approach – Part 2 What is the socioeconomic state of ranching in Monterey County? This section will include: Literature review on ranch economics Trends in ranch-land prices Survey –Demographic profile of a Monterey County rancher –Ranchers’ likeliness to sell –Ranchers’ willingness to accept for their land or development rights –Primary incentives and disincentives for staying on the land? Implications of survey data for present and future state of ranching in Monterey County (Yolanda)
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Our Approach – Part 3 What kinds of strategies have ranchers used elsewhere to improve the economic viability of their land? Case studies of successful, innovative ranching practices Average benefits of each approach
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Strategies Ranch tourism Ranching cooperatives/niche marketing Conservation easements Government assistance to ranchers Mixed land uses Political/ranching infrastructure improvements
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Case: Jack Varian Practices Allan Savory Holistic Range Management Has conservation easement - CA Rangeland Trust Gives ranch tours/cattle drive tourism Hunting “Non-verbal language” with land and animals (assume you’re wrong, watch subtle signs, can’t overpower nature) Three crucial components to ranch sustainability: 1.Family 2.Finances 3.Environmental sustainability
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Case: George Work Practices Allan Savory Holistic Range Management Has won national environmental awards Getting conservation easement - CA Rangeland Trust Farm stays (changed CA regulation to allow this) Hunting (pigs, elk, deer, quail, dove) Habitat improvement 1.Food cover 2.Water improvement (specialty troughs) 3.Annual controlled burns (stimulate re-growth, provide best food) 4.Leaving PG&E poles for woodpeckers
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