Ranching Sustainability Self Assessment Ranchers: George Work, Steve Sinton, Chuck Pritchard, Aaron Lazanoff, Kevin Kester, Jack Varian, Cliff Garrison.

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