This is the second part of a two-part article on the Bennett Ridge grazing project. Part one can be reviewed here. 

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE 2024 PILOT GRAZING PROJECT

by Jane Marx

Grazing on the Ridge in 2025! 

Hello fellow Bennett Valley neighbors.  When last we communicated, Bennett Ridge had just finished up a pilot grazing project for vegetation management.  The experience was new to all, generally successful, and loaded with newfound awareness and experience to us in planning for the next graze in 2025. What a ‘grass roots’ education this has been!

Shortly after the last article, our grazing co-op volunteers met with Sarah Keiser of Wild Oat Hollow, to plan for 2025, and assess the 2024 project.  Sarah is our insightful grazing consultant, guiding us into 2025 with her knowledge, experience and science-based approach to creating a more healthy, safe and sustainable landscape.  You can check out her website at:  https://www.wildoathollow.com/

A summary of our ‘Hooves on the Ground’ lessons learned from 2024 include:

EARLY PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL:

One key lesson learned last year was that we need to start planning early to secure a spot with a reputable grazer.  Last year we were too late in the game.  The planning process began in March, much too late to provide a smooth running, calm or efficient graze.  For 2025 we started planning in October, and we are already contracted now (Jan. 3rd) to graze 31.7 acres over 17 properties.  We’re there!

STEWARDSHIP VALUES ARE IMPORTANT:  With a more sensible timeline, we were able to find a grazer we think is an outstanding fit for our community.  Paigelynn Trotter of Coastal Land & Livestock, and her team of women shepherds, is on board for 2025.  With Paigelynn’s approach to sustainability, handling animals with care and respect, professional business savvy in regard to forward planning, and mindful scheduling, we are excited about our next grazing adventure.  Paigelynn was featured in Made Local magazine last year, it’s worth checking out this captivating article: https://madelocalmagazine.com/2024/08/grow-local-grazing-for-good/.

SCHEDULING IS COMPLEX:

Anticipating the best time to graze will never be straightforward, just like any agricultural activity.  Too early grazing might necessitate a second graze.  Too late grazing is scary in regard to fire danger and density of grass.  Variable rainfall amounts and days of sun will affect grass growth. The optimum grazing program would involve two passes:  The first when grass is green and not too high.  The second, to mow down reemerged vegetation just before everything dries up.  This process yields the best outcome in regard to fire resistance and native plant regeneration.  At this point, the cost of a two-graze program won’t work for most folks, so we’re attempting to hit the sweet spot of timing and reduce flash fuels with as little regrowth as possible.  It is understood that this method may compromise some longer-term ecological benefits of green season grazing such as improving soil structure, promoting perennial native bunch grasses, waterway enhancement and combating brush encroachment. However, at this time, and until we have a better grasp, the ‘One Graze/Well-Timed Approach’ will be the most financially effective method for our grazing project with the top priority for seasonal fuels reduction.  With that in mind, we have included a clause in this year’s contract for grazing between May 15th and June 17th.  For year 2026, we hope to work with Paigelynn to figure out a transition and reasonable program, as feasible, for a two-graze scenario.

To offset later season graze concerns, a number of participants have chosen to string-trim areas immediately near homes, then rely on grazing for the wilder parts of their property, including steep and rocky terrain.

The grazer needs to schedule as responsibly as possible, so that properties are not short-changed or rushed because they under-estimated or mismanaged other commitments.

To streamline the grazing project and to better protect the Ridge, our volunteers worked hard this year to enlist property owners adjacent to each other, such that livestock could move easily from one property to another.  We were more successful in some cases with filling in gaps between properties, but ultimately, this will be something we continue to strive for.  The map for 2025 depicts the properties in contract now.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANIMALS OF THE GRAZE:

Goats may focus their grazing on different plants than sheep.  The grazer will review the general vegetation of properties and decide the best animal, or mix of animals, to efficiently reduce vegetation in a reasonable amount of time.   We learned that a herd of goats and a flock of sheep working together in combination, is called a ‘flerd’!  The grazer also needs to gauge the number of livestock needed to complete the project efficiently.

A conscientious grazer will have an ‘Animal Care Plan’ in place.  The well-being of the animals is the first priority, and the grazing team needs to be serious in their support of animal longevity and health.  Additionally, animals on a graze need to have past experience with electric fencing for their safety.

Working guardian dogs live with and protect livestock. In Bennett Valley, there is significant predator activity, and dogs should be part of the graze.  People need to realize that they may bark throughout the night if there are predators nearby.  Property owners should make sure their domestic dogs are contained during a graze, and this should be agreed on prior to beginning the project.

DANGEROUS CONDITIONS MAY AFFECT GRAZE:

Bennett Ridge is home to rocky, steep slopes.  This type of terrain is perfect for grazing, except where the grazing is uphill from a road.  Little hooves can unearth rocks on those slopes and create a hazard.  The truth is, even string-trimming will produce a certain amount of rock fall.  It’s a tough situation, as the landowner still needs to reduce vegetation on their property.  For some particular properties, a short fence catchment structure will be considered to catch any rockfall that might occur.  We are currently working with the Sonoma County Resource Conservation District to decide on the optimum fence detail, and potential funding to offset the additional cost for those properties affected. 

GRAZING AESTHETICS ARE NOT THE SAME AS STRING-TRIMMING:

Livestock will consume vegetation in a non-uniform manner.  They will not eat all the vegetation, depending upon palatability and nutrients.  There may be vegetation left in the project space that appears non-uniform.  This will not be the same visual aesthetic as an even, string-trimmed, park-like mow.  It will look like an agricultural grazed field.  The grazer will determine when the animals have completed a grazing zone, and this will be based on their knowledge and experience with the nutritional needs of the livestock.  However, the general vegetation mass will be reduced for fire safety.

COMMUNICATION IS CENTRAL TO GRAZING SUCCESS:

Grazing, like any project, requires regular communication between participants, and those affected by the project.  During this next graze, we are requesting a sufficient number of signs on fencing clearly noting emergency call numbers.  Our volunteer team will work closer with the grazer this year to anticipate livestock movement and potential issues- so we can spread that information to the participants, and where needed, to the entire neighborhood.  This grazer will primarily move livestock from property to property and along the roads.  We will send notice through our neighborhood communication systems to make sure people are aware of anything that might affect them. 

We are also planning a meeting in the near future for anyone who wants to meet our grazer, Paigelynn, learn more about this grazing adventure, get questions answered, discuss the benefits from a land stewardship perspective.  Hope to catch up with you in 2025 to report the second grazing project.  Onward!

Footnote: This is a volunteer project, privately funded by individual property owners on the Ridge.  We are paying a ‘per acre’ fee to the grazer, and each property owner has an individual contract with the grazer.  We are assisting the grazer with mapping, communication, and contract coordination in order to save money and allow the grazer to focus on the actual craft of grazing.