Tuned in to the Land – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Since its founding in 1917, the California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has been dedicated to representing California’s ranchers and beef producers in legislative and regulatory affairs. For over a century, CCA has worked tirelessly to advocate for the interests of California ranchers at the state capital, providing them with the education and resources necessary to sustain ranching in the Golden State.

We are proud to be a partner of CCA as they continue to champion the causes of California’s ranchers. In this episode, host and CEO, Michael Delbar, is joined by CCA President Steve Arnold, First Vice President Rick Roberti, and Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur to discuss the pressing issues facing the ranching industry as the legislative session draws to a close.

To learn more about the work that we do, visit https://rangelandtrust.org/

In recent years, we have seen a resurgence in interest and appreciation for the western industry through TV shows, music, fashion, and more. With more and more people dawning cowboy hats and boots, as an industry, it is our chance to open the gates and provide educational opportunities and resources for those looking to break into agriculture. With National Day of the Cowboy right around the corner on Saturday, July 27th, we thought it would be fitting to have on a special guest—a cowgirl who is committed to providing agricultural education in various forms to diverse communities both locally in California, as well as throughout the world.

For this episode, Michael, CEO and host, wasjoined by Rizpah Bellard. As a recent Cowgirl Magazine’s 30 Under 30, Rizpah is using her new-found platform and experiences as a young black rancher to connect with under-served communities to show them that they too can be a cowboy or cowgirl and form their own connections to the land and to livestock.  

In this episode, Rizpah shares more about her work, her goals for her businesses, and how she is helping to bring more folks into the agricultural fold.

If you would like to connect more with the work that Rizpah is doing, you can find her on Instagram @nova.farming or you can visit her website.

Agriculture is a crucial contributor to California's economy, generating over $132 billion annually through the production of more than 400 commodities, some of which are only commercially produced here. It plays a major role in ensuring food security, promoting economic well-being, and maintaining environmental quality.

However, the number of farms and ranches is dwindling. Weather extremes, natural disasters, stringent regulations, and unjust criticism make it tough for farmers and ranchers to stay in business. When we lose our agricultural stewards, we lose our working lands too.

2,000 acres are lost to development and conversion every day, according to a study by the American Farmland Trust. On top of that, concerns are surfacing over foreign-ownership of agricultural land posing as a threat to national security.

All of this raises the question: Why are ranchers and farmers selling their land in the first place?

In this episode, Michael Delbar, Rangeland Trust CEO and host sits down with Senator Melissa Hurtado, Chair of the California Senate Agriculture Committee, to address and provide insight into these issues that are threatening California agriculture. Together, they discuss ways to address these growing problems, as well as other potential solutions.

At the Rangeland Trust, we are committed to safeguarding the future of the ranching industry and those who work on the land every day. Our friends at the Moulton Museum are committed to preserving the ranching heritage of the pastby sharing stories and artifacts of days gone by. 

In this episode, Michael is joined by Jared Mathis, President of the Moulton Museum located in Orange County, a valued organization that shares our passion for honoring California's rich ranching history. Now approaching its one-year anniversary, Jared and the team at the Moulton Museum have worked tirelessly to bring the spirit of the West back to life in Orange County by by actively archiving, restoring, and preserving the regions historical artifacts—everything from farm implements and buggies to documents, artwork, and images.   

During their conversation, Michael and Jared delve into the Moulton family's impressive ranching legacy, the museum's objectives, and the importance of conserving the land and its history for future generations.

For this episode, Michael traveled to the Sardella Ranch in Sonora, CA to chat with Michael and Julie Sardella. While there, he was able to witness and learn more about the annual prescribed burn program that takes place on the ranch in partnership with CAL FIRE (listen to Episode 2.5 where we talk with CAL FIRE about a few of their programs).

During their conversation, Michael and Julie Sardella discuss their journey on the ranch, their commitment to conservation, their longstanding partnership with CAL FIRE, and the significance of preserving working lands in California. The Sardellas have always been passionate about conservation and have dedicated their lives toward ensuring that the ranch remains sustainable for generations to come.

Today is National Day of the Cowboy! To celebrate we sat down with Luke Branquinho on our podcast. The practices of roping, riding, and branding found their roots in America during the 1500s when Spanish conquistadors and Mexican vaqueros introduced cattle and horses to the region. The term "rodeo" actually comes from the Spanish word "rodear," meaning round-up, and reflects the early gatherings of livestock in the vast open landscapes.

During, the expansion of the American West following the Civil War, an abundance of wild cattle prompted the emergence of the term "cowboy." As the culture evolved, these cowboys organized competitive contests that eventually transformed into the modern sport of rodeo we know today.

The open range served as the birthplace of rodeo, so without the continuance of working lands, one could argue that this cherished form of Western entertainment and tradition may not have persevered to this day.

In this new episode of Tuned in to the Land, we are joined by five-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion Steer Wrestler and recent ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee, Luke Branquinho. 

Luke is a native Californian who has rodeoed across the country and across the world. Raised on a ranch in Santa Barbara County, he took the skills he learned on the family ranch and refined them into a career in professional rodeo. In this episode, Michael and Luke dive into Luke's upbringing, his family's ranching traditions, and the values instilled in him that shaped his path to becoming a world-class rodeo athlete.

"Gate-getting" is like a right of passage in the ranching industry. Whether you were sitting in the passenger seat because you were the youngest in the vehicle or you drew the short straw for the day, we've all been there at one point or another. But, gate-getting doesn't stop after the gate is latched.

Beyond the literal meaning of opening the gate to get you where you need to go, it can also mean opening up opportunities for others. In this episode of Tuned in to the Land, Michael Delbar explores the concept of gate-getting with Markie Hageman-Jones, beef advocate and creator behind the Girls Eat Beef Too social media pages. Together, Michael and Markie discuss Markie's coined idea of "Gate-Getting vs. Gatekeeping," and how important it is in the agricultural industry to create opportunities for newcomers. Markie also goes over her experience working in content creation for the last six years and shares her insights on how to be a successful agricultural advocate.

May is Wildfire Awareness Month.

As Californians, we are all too aware of wildfires and the destruction they inflict upon on our local communities, people, and the land. Each year, it seems like wildfire season extends longer and longer, burning millions of acres. In 2021 and 2022 alone, over 3 million acres of land burned in California displacing people, wildlife, and livestock, alike. That's why it's important that we look at prevention through tools like grazing and prescribed fire.

In this month's episode, Rangeland Trust CEO, Michael Delbar, is joined by Chief Gary Whitson and Public Information Officer, Emily Kilgore, of the Tuolumne-Calaveras CAL FIRE Unit. Together, the group discusses ways to prepare for fire season, as well as what to do if a fire does occur. They also go over various programs offered through CAL FIRE that support private landowners in fire prevention and mitigation, such as the Vegetation Management Program that the conserved Sardella Ranch participates in.

We thank all of our first responders for their continued hard work to keep all of us as Californians safe in the event of a wildfire. Remember to stay vigilant this fire season and prepare your land by responsibly grazing and/or clearing your property!

Our landowner partners represent the heart and soul of the Rangeland Trust. Because of their admirable decisions to conserve their ranches, California will always have places available for local food to be grown, air to be cleansed, freshwater to flow, wildlife to roam, and spectacular viewsheds to be admired.

In this episode, Michael is joined by landowner partner, Alisha Taff. Alisha is the owner of the Rock Front Ranch in the Cuyama Valley in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Conserved in 2020, the 300-acre Rock Front Ranch marked the first time in Rangeland Trust history that conservation was funded entirely by contributions from the community.

Tune in to hear Alisha talk about current happenings on the ranch, her work in regenerative agriculture, and what it means to her to see her beloved ranch forever protected thanks to the more than 200 donors that rallied behind her to achieve conservation.

Today is National Ag Day where we get to celebrate the land, its bounty, and those who steward it. And on top of that, it’s also Women’s History Month. How befitting is it that National Ag Day converges with this month-long celebration of women’s achievement, especially given the multitude of hats, leadership roles, and essential responsibilities women have held for generations in family farming and ranching operations?

In this episode of Tuned in to the Land, Michael sits down with Katie Isaacson Hames, of the conserved El Chorro Ranch, and Elizabeth Poett Campbell, of Rancho San Julian and star of Ranch to Table on the Magnolia Network. After growing up as neighbors on multi-generational family ranching operations along the Central Coast of California, Katie and Elizabeth each moved away before being called back "home". Now, these remarkable women are making their own lives and raising families on the same land in which they were raised. Tune in to learn more about their own unique journeys and how they've been able to innovate and diversify to keep their operations viable and thriving in the 21st century.