Andree Soares is a former 27-year NICU nurse turned big-time goat and sheep grazier preventing wildfires in Northern California.

Would you quit a stable job as a NICU nurse and bet your future on prescribed grazing? Does California use prescribed grazing to combat wildfires like the one that devastated LA earlier this year? How many shepherds, guardian dogs, and border collies does it take to manage over 10,000 goats and sheep?

In today’s episode, Soares answers all these questions and more. She explains why she made such a drastic career shift, how Star Creek Land Stewards work tirelessly to mitigate fire risk and potentially save the lives of school children, and what it takes to make their massive operation function efficiently. 

Takeaways

Star Creek Land Stewards focuses on fire fuel reduction.

Andre's family has a long history in the sheep business.

The business has grown to manage over 10,000 animals.

Grazing can effectively manage vegetation and reduce fire risk.

Mixed herds of goats and sheep optimize grazing efficiency.

Fire management strategies are crucial in California.

Labor challenges are significant in the grazing industry.

Pricing strategies depend on logistics and access to sites.

Animal husbandry is key to successful grazing operations.

Sustainable practices are essential for the future of wild lands

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Goat Grazing Podcast

00:54 Overview of Star Creek Land Stewards

02:17 Andree Soares' Journey to Goat Grazing

06:04 Transition from Nursing to Grazing Business

12:24 Fire Management and Grazing

14:32 California's Growing Interest in Grazing for Fire Prevention

19:50 Creating Defensible Space with Grazing

22:23 Logistics of Managing Large Herds

25:18 Project Management and Client Relations

27:26 Management Roles

34:52 Understanding Bidding Processes in Grazing Services

37:42 Is This Free Feed?

38:59 Is This Agriculture?

40:12 Insurance For Goat Grazing Business

41:53 Labor Challenges in the Grazing Industry

44:06 Legislative Impacts on Agricultural Labor

47:54 Navigating Rising Input Costs

50:48 The Future of Guest Worker Programs

52:16 What Breeds Are You Running

53:23 Value Added Products

54:06 Numbers Of Goats vs. Sheep

54:14 New Chapter

56:20 Parasite Control and Hoof Trimming

59:21 Challenges and Anecdotes in Grazing Operations

59:28 New Chapter 2

01:00:42 Best Piece Of Advice For New Graziers

01:02:09 Closing