Tuned in to the Land

Farmers and ranchers are the unsung heroes of our society. Day in and day out, they work tirelessly to ensure that we have food on our tables and clothes on our backs. Despite their crucial role, they often face significant challenges, from stringent regulations to unwarranted criticism, making it increasingly difficult to sustain farming and ranching in California. Over a century ago, these chall...

May marks Wildfire Awareness and Preparedness Month—a time to reflect on the profound impact wildfires have had on California. Since 2020, over 7 million acres of our state’s lands have been scorched by relentless blazes, causing immense destruction to communities and ecosystems. For ranchers and farmers, the toll is deeply personal. From the loss of grazing grounds, crops, and precious livestock...

Join us for a special episode as we gear up to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd! While this annual event highlights the importance of environmental protection, for ranchers across the Golden State and beyond, every single day is Earth Day. Through their unwavering commitment and stewardship of the land, our ranching partners play a pivotal role in sequestering carbon, purifying our air, supplying...

Happy National Agriculture Day! Today, we celebrate the indispensable role of agriculture in our lives, with a special appreciation for the dedication of ranching and farming families who steward our working lands. Well managed grazing plays a vital role that benefits both livestock and wildlife alike. Through collaborative efforts involving scientists, ranchers, and other conservation and agricul...

From the bustling streets of San Francisco to the productive lands of California, Fiona Ma's journey in public service has been a testament to her determination and adaptability. Beginning her career as a CPA in San Francisco, she transitioned into politics, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. After her initial term, Ma was elected to the California State Assembly. It was durin...

The new year brings new leadership. On this episode, we are thrilled to introduce our newly elected Rangeland Trust Board Chair, Carolyn Carey . Carolyn ranches in the small town of Alturas in Northern California’s Modoc County. She has been on the Rangeland Trust board for nearly 10 years, bringing insight and ideas that have helped propel the organization into what it is today. Together, Michael...

Without our funding partners, the Rangeland Trust would not be able to conserve working landscapes across California and keep ranchers on the land. While we rely on private donations and foundation grants to make conservation possible, we also seek grants from state and federal agencies as a major source of funding for conservation easements. One of our valued government agency partners is the USD...

Between costly regulatory compliance, burdensome taxes, fluctuating markets, weather extremes, negative public perception, and squeezed profit margins, ranchers face challenges that often make it tough to stay in business. In the last episode of "Tuned into the Land", we sat down with Senator Melissa Hurtado, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee , to discuss issues facing California...

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,...

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...

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...

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 th...

"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...

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'...

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 owne...

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 a...

What does "sustainability" mean, and why does it matter for the future of the beef industry? In this episode of Tuned in to the Land , Michael sits down with Dr. Samantha Werth, Executive Director for the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and Senior Director of Sustainability for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, to discuss what sustainability means, how the beef industr...

In our first Bonus episode, we are joined by Chad Ellis, CEO of the Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT). Michael and Chad sat down during the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts' (PORT) annual meeting in Denver, CO. Together, the duo talk ecosystem services research and opportunities for subsequent ecosystem services markets. Want to learn more? Chat with us! Support the show Learn more about th...

The   California Rangeland Trust is 25 years old, and to celebrate this momentous occasion, we brought back our good friend Andy Mills. Not only is Andy   Chairman of the Rangeland Trust Board of Directors, he was also the Trust's very first staff member. In this premiere episode of Season 2 of Tuned in to the Land, host and CEO, Michael Delbar, sits down with Andy as he reflects on his 25-ye...

2022 has been a big year for the Rangeland Trust, but 2023 promises to be even bigger! In this episode, Michael Delbar, CEO of the Rangeland Trust, recaps the exciting things we have been up to over the last 12 months and previews what’s to come in 2023, as we celebrate the Rangeland Trust’s 25th anniversary! As we conclude this first season of Tuned into the Land , we want to extend a heartfelt t...

Whether you are from a ranching background or spent your entire life in the city, rangeland plays a vital role in each of our lives. On this episode, host and CEO, Michael Delbar, is joined by longtime Rangeland Trust supporter and current Board Member, Bruce Hart. Bruce grew up in San Francisco but has always had a passion and affinity for open spaces. Listen as Bruce shares his road to connectin...

Cowboy poetry began during the long cattle drives of the 19th century when cowboys herded cattle for months, traveling hundreds of miles on the job, and swapping stories. Today, cowboy poetry is still going strong thanks to many talented individuals who share their experiences ranching and keep this unique version of storytelling alive for all of us to enjoy. In this episode, Michael is joined by...

In 2020, the Bear Fire ravaged part of the Plumas National Forest, which the Daley family has grazed cattle on since the late 1800s. Sadly, most of the Daley’s cattle herd was lost in the fire. The event and horrific days that followed prompted Dr. Dave Daley, past California Cattlemen's Association President, to keep a journal detailing his heart-wrenching experience. Shortly after, he share...

With the World Butcher's Challenge coming to Sacramento on September 2nd and 3rd, this episode of  Tuned In to the Land features a very special guest. Rangeland Trust CEO Michael Delbar is joined by Danny Johnson, owner of Taylor's Market in Sacramento and team captain of Butchers of America, the team representing the United States in the World Butchers' Challenge. Listen to Michael...

On this month's episode of Tuned In to the Land , Rangeland Trust CEO Michael Delbar visits Bruce Rominger, co-owner of Rominger Brothers Farms in Yolo County, CA. Seated under an old oak tree on the Rominger Ranch, Michael and Bruce discuss the Romingers' commitment to environmental sustainability, which is demonstrated through their farmland and rangeland management practices. In 2018...