costs, including healthcare for their employees. Guests can order SCR products for events and ranch stays, which can transform them into long-term customers. “It motivates us to share how we practice regenerative agriculture, which minimizes our carbon footprint and creates healthier pastures. Our techniques include making and spreading compost on our pastures and utilizing rotational grazing. The educational component is a big draw for folks to come visit the ranch, including other ranchers from around the world,” says Poncia. Cow Track Ranch (CTR) in Nicasio, run by owner Melissa Daniels, produces Angus beef. It also hosts a limited number of events and offers ranch stays. In addition, CTR offers ranch-made products: pasture eggs for ranch stay guests, honey, rosemary cooking salts and gourmet garden soaps in scents like honey-almond. CTR partners with Marin French Cheese to sell its soaps, salts and beef snack sticks. It partners with Nicasio Cheese to sell its soaps and salts. In the winter, Daniels greets guests by preparing a fire in the wood-burning stove. “I turn on the lights and set out the steaks and seasonings for guests. [Then they can] prepare a homegrown meal with ranch ingredients in cast iron. This creates a home-like atmosphere that’s warm and welcoming. Connecting people with agriculture and the land has always been my mission,” says Daniels. The multiple income streams allow Daniels to meet the cost of ranch maintenance, insurance and taxes for her rural property. The ranch stay contributes 14% for county transient occupancy tax. Daniels enjoys sharing photos of the ranch through social media and staying connected to those who visit. Sharing behind-the-scenes experiences about ranch management and livestock care is critical to attracting guests, says Mandy Schmidt, product sales manager and agritourism coordinator for Marin Coast Ranch (MCR) in Tomales. Guests enjoy the Heirloom Apple Celebration at Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol in September 2023. [Photo by Kristen Loken]
Zach Mendes, director of land protection for Marin Agricultural Land Trust. [Photo courtesy MALT]
MCR produces grass-fed beef and lamb. It offers nature- focused team-building events for corporate guests, ranch tours, picnic experiences, retreats, hikes and workshops. Recent workshop themes have included aromatherapy with essential oils, composting, regenerative food sourcing and meditation. “Guests love to picnic next to the cows and sheep. They get the experience of learning about where their food comes from while enjoying a calming reset from the busy modern world,” says Schmidt. MCR participates in the Marin Carbon Project, a consortium of independent agriculture entities that seeks to store carbon in the soil, much like carbon farmers. MCR explains the processes it uses to accomplish this goal to guests who take tours. MCR has also formed a long-term partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to collect information about coho salmon, with the aim of boosting that species’ population. MCR regularly collaborates in land conservation projects with Point Blue Conservation Science, a Petaluma nonprofit focused on conservation. In addition, MCR ranch partners with Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), a Point Reyes Station nonprofit that preserves farm and ranchland in Marin County. MCR’s partnership with MALT involves offering hikes on the ranch that feature discussions on the importance of land conservation. Zach Mendes is the director of land protection for MALT. He says agritourism props up ag businesses, which helps MALT continue to protect over 57,000 acres of agriculturally zoned rural land. “We hold agriculture conservation easements on 94 properties. The easements protect agricultural and conservation values, including soil and water quality. Each one of those easements defines permitted and prohibited land uses,” says Mendes. If a farm or ranch does not make a profit, it could close. In that event, the easement would remain in place, ensuring the
May 2024
NorthBaybiz 35
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker