Tuned in to the Land

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.

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"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.

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Learn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!

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!

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Learn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!

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.

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Learn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!

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.

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Learn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!

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 industry is achieving environmental, economic, and social sustainability, and the U.S. Roundtable's work to advance sustainability throughout the the beef value chain.

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Learn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!

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.

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Learn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!

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-year journey with the organization and the two of them discuss the exciting events and projects coming down the pike this year and beyond. Tune in to learn more about the Rangeland Trust's history and to find out how you can join in the   25-year celebration.

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Learn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!

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 thank you to our listeners, friends, and supporters. We look forward to bringing you Season 2 beginning on January 17th!

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Learn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!

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 connecting with the Rangeland Trust, his philosophy on the power of rangelands to bridge urban and rural interests, and his “why” for helping conserve the Golden State’s rangelands.

Want to get involved with the Rangeland Trust? Visit our website to learn more. 

Want to learn more? Chat with us!

Support the show

Learn more about the work the Rangeland Trust does by following us on social media @rangelandtrust!