NEW ENERGY: HOME ON THE RANGE

New Energy has a million applications. Don’t run a big herd? How about changing the light bulbs?

Calif. Family Gets Regional Green Award
July 24, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
Ranchers Henry and Suzanne Stone (with son Scott, daughter-in-law Karen, son Casey and daughter-in-law Angela) , owners of Yolo Land and Cattle; Phil Hogan, Yolo County District Conservationist, U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service

WHAT
The Stones won an Environmental Stewardship Award for numerous innovative ranching practices enabling environmental and economic sustainability.
click to enlarge

WHEN
Announcement July 23 for environmentally friendly ranching practices over 30 years.

WHERE
Yolo Land and Cattle Ranch, Yolo County, California

WHY
- Yolo Land and Cattle Ranch is 7,500 acres. Stone innovations include: native grass, shrub and tree plantings and fence-protection, prescribed burning, rotating grazing herds, fencing ponds and streams from herds, solar-powered water troughs; pond restoration.
- The size and location of the Stone ranch, against the Central Coast Range and spread across two watersheds gives them water quality and wildlife corridors not always available to ranchers.
A Yolo County cattle ranch. Nice country. Worth taking care of. Some people feel that way about the whole damn planet.

QUOTES
Hogan: "Many people who come to us for conservation help come seeking answers and fixes for one problem-erosion or invasive species, water issues or whatever it may be…But the Stones have tackled and achieved improvements in each resource: soil, water, native plants, and wildlife habitat. They are big-picture people."