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AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS AT CHANSLOR RANCH
are administered by Chanslor Wildlife, LLC. Chanslor Wildlife programs at Chanslor Ranch, including 'The Wetlands Project',
focus on conservation,
environmental education and the integration of ranching practices into
responsible land stewardship. As with tourism oriented businesses on the property, agriculture activities
provides financial support for the environmental programs and research. AGRICULTURE
AT CHANSLOR RANCH INCLUDES:
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Cattle Ranching - Polled Herefords,
Angus and Scottish
Highlanders (2006-2008) (Member of the American Highland Cattle
Association)
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Aquaculture - Channel Catfish, Bass, Trout
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Horses - Breeding, Riding and Training
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Crops - Artichokes, Olives and the propagation
and restoration of
Native Plants (2006-2008)
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Composting - Granny Chanslor's Special Blends
(2006-2008)
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Alternative Energy - Solar and Wind Generation
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Erosion Control - Sediment Ponds, Native Plantings
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2006 - 2007 Agriculture
Program
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FACILITIES
Replacement barns are planned to be constructed for use by both the
agriculture programs and native plan propagation programs. Plans were
donated by Mr. Dan Bedel of Bodega Bay.
CATTLE RANCHING
Since 1989 the operators have worked with the State of California
to develop cattle ranching procedures and facilities that reduce impact on
the environment. Under the 2006-2008 plan
a select cattle breeding program will maintain livestock levels consistent with the environmental considerations of the
property. Pasture access roads have been redesigned along with an
updated fencing and water supply program.
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AQUACULTURE
Operating under a State of California Aquaculture Permit for the past 8 years, Chanslor Ranch
has sought to expand this business using the pond constructed in 1953. A
grant application is
being drafted to the US Department of Agriculture to allow restoration of
the primary pond. Additional
conventional fish rearing ponds are being designed to satisfy
aquaculture needs, provide additional wetlands habitat as well as capturing sediment which
would otherwise find its way into Salmon Creek.
HORSES
Horses have been trained and ridden at Chanslor since the early
1950's. Horseback environmental tours at Chanslor provides the primary source of income
for the environmental and
recreation programs. Approximately 4 miles of additional trails will be opened during the next three years to expand this aspect of ranch activities. Much of the planned fencing program
during 2004-2005 has been to separate the agricultural and equestrian
recreational activities.
CROPS
Produce has not been part of the Chanslor Ranch picture for the last 25
years. An acquisition plan for adjacent land will hopefully provide a site for raising Imperial
Star artichokes. This is expected to be part of a program designed to recharge ground water supplies as a side
benefit of agriculture. During 2004-2005 plans were completed for a 10 acre parcel
on Chanslor Ranch for this
program. The primary water source will be waste water. Initial
plantings are scheduled for the Spring of 2008 based on test plantings
done during 2003-2007.
COMPOSTING
An experimental composting program was begun in 1993 using horse and
cattle waste. Based on the success of that program and with consulting provided by Earthbound
Compost's Rick Williams,
a brand of custom composts will be developed
during the next three years.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Over 10 years ago the Ranch began to power the agricultural water supply
with solar panels. In
2003, wind generation was added to the power supply and during the period
2005-2007 the wells
that supply water for agriculture and aquaculture on the property will be
provided by a combination of solar and wind power.
EROSION CONTROL
At the end of 2004 Chanslor Ranch began instituting a master plan for the
property involving the repair of approximately 3 miles of historic ranch roads to provide
improved pasture access while reducing the amount of sediment generated by
ranch vehicles. A significant grant request has been approved by the US Department of Agriculture, EQIP Program, for this
purpose. In con- junction with a fencing plan developed with the University of California; the
construction of sediment control ponds; and additional plantings in areas
prone to land slippage, erosion and the resulting sediment is expected to be reduced substantially. |
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