goats

Demand for contract grazers rising in North Bay ahead of ‘concerning’ fire season

Natalie Hanson, PRESS DEMOCRAT

The North Bay’s seasonal transition from hillsides cloaked in emerald green grass to the telltale tawny of the dry season has been extended by welcome spring rains. But not for long.

And that means peak fire season is on its way.

To reduce fire risk on much of that vast open acreage, property owners and land managers in the region are increasingly turning to contracted grazing operators, whose herds of sheep and goats munch down the grass and underbrush that can feed wildland blazes. The hungry herbivores help reduce invasive weeds and crop native grasses, and are a lower-carbon alternative to human-powered mowing.

The business, while not new, has boomed in the years following Northern California’s bout of catastrophic wildfires, including in Sonoma County, where the 2017 firestorm, 2019 Kincade Fire and 2020 Walbridge and Glass fires burned several hundred thousand acres combined, overlapping in places.

Ownership of that sprawling landscape is highly fragmented, complicating management for wildfire purposes. But contract grazers and their supporters say putting hooves on the ground in timely and strategic ways can help curb risk in an era of destructive wildfires stoked by climate change.

Read more at https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/05/06/grazing-fire-risk-reduction-sonoma-county/

Agriculture/Food System, , , ,

Why more than 1,000 goats are working for Santa Rosa this fire season

Madison Smalstig, PRESS DEMOCRAT

The Santa Rosa Fire Department has brought in some unusual help this summer: more than 1,000 goats — and possibly some sheep.

The animals, hired through two contractors, began work June 8 and are expected to munch through about 130 acres of dry grass and weeds across eight city sites. The contractors — Goats R Us of Orinda and CAPRA Environmental Services of Roseville — will manage the herds as they move through the properties.

The “grazing team” will target areas that typically meet city fire maintenance standards but are difficult to clear using equipment because of rocky terrain or steep slopes.

In Upper Brush Creek Park, for example, city crews would normally cut a 30-foot fuel break around the perimeter but leave the hilly interior untouched, Santa Rosa Division Chief Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal said.

Read more at https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/santa-rosa-goats-wildfire/

Sustainable Living,

Sonoma County’s Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery shows sustainability is sound business

Jane Bender, Center for Climate Protection, NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL
In 1978, Jennifer Bice took over her parents’ small goat dairy. Today, her award-winning goat milk yogurt, kefir and artisan cheese are sold nationwide, and she has expanded her offerings with a line of organic, lactose-free cow milk products.
Growth has been consistently double-digit: 25 percent in the earlier years and now closer to 12 percent–14 percent. She has built this successful enterprise with no investors and, until 2005, no bank loans.
From the beginning, Jennifer has steadfastly maintained the highest standards of sustainability. As she says, “It’s not just smart business. It’s who we are.” And who they are today is a company of more than 70 employees, working proof that profits and sustainability can go hand in hand.
SUSTAINABILITY TAKES MANY FORMS
Jennifer treats her animals and employees with the same respect she shows the environment. They are all dimensions of Redwood Hill’s sustainability program, deserving of the highest consideration and care.
Her farm and the creamery are showcases of resource preservation and renewable energy. Along with extensive recycling, insulation, LED and sensor lighting, and electric charging stations, the creamery runs primarily on renewable energy generated by two acres of solar panels.
The farm runs on 100 percent solar energy as well.The company reclaims its wastewater and pumps it to neighboring lands for irrigation. In addition, Jennifer is currently implementing a 100,000-gallon rainwater catchment system at the farm. That system will enhance the salmon habitat in nearby Green Valley Creek as well.
Redwood Hill Farm is also growing a drought-resilient goat feed called Tagasate that allows the farm to reduce its trucked-in feed, which in turn reduces its carbon footprint as well as saving dollars on feed.
“Sustainable milk production starts with good animal care, which is foundational to our business,” she explains. As a result of that commitment, Redwood Hill Farm was the first goat dairy in the U.S. to become Certified Humane, a standard that focuses on animal health, freedom of movement and nutritious diet.
Read more at: Sonoma County’s Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery shows sustainability is sound business | The North Bay Business Journal

Agriculture/Food System, Sustainable Living, , , , ,
Scroll to Top