DATE:
May 21, 2025
09
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECTTitle
REVIEW OPTIONS TO PROMOTE AND EXPAND SUSTAINABLE CATTLE GRAZING IN THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
Over the past couple of decades, the practice of cattle grazing in the County has gone through many changes, shaped largely by ever-evolving environmental regulations, land management priorities and a growing emphasis on sustainability. To build upon this progress, and to bolster our approach to addressing the region's pressing environmental challenges - increasing wildfire risks, soil health degradation, disruptions to watersheds and biodiversity loss - today's item aims to evaluate potential programmatic options that support the expansion of sustainable cattle grazing in the unincorporated areas of the County. In the context of this item, sustainable grazing generally refers to the purposeful management of cattle by local ranchers in a way that maintains or enhances ecological functions. This includes practices that improve soil nutrient cycling, enhance erosion control, stimulate vegetation growth and/or reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers and other chemical inputs.
When implemented effectively, cattle grazing can serve as a cost-efficient and environmentally responsible land management strategy, offering a suite of co-benefits: suppression of invasive plant species, reduction of wildfire fuel loads, enhanced carbon sequestration and improved water infiltration. By better aligning grazing practices with the County's broader sustainability and wildfire resiliency goals, we can reposition grazing as more than simply an agricultural activity. It can and should be valued as a multifunctional land management tool, integral to maintaining ecosystem health and climate adaptation strategies. Moreover, supporting the expansion of sustainable grazing offers an opportunity to strengthen local food systems, bolster the economic viability of ranching operations for loca...
Click here for full text