Fridays on the Farm: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Conservationists
March 1, 2024 | Source: Farmers.gov | by Jonathan Groveman
This Friday meet fourth-generation cattle ranchers Nancy, Merry, and Susie Calhoun of Livermore, California. Inspired by their parents, these sisters have a deep love for natural resources and agriculture. They’re focused on being a model for other ranchers, particularly female ranchers, on all things related to conservation and sustainability.
From the pride they share at seeing monarch butterflies flying around their property and the vast number of endangered species that inhabit their streams, the Calhoun sisters are proud of the legacy of their ranch and plan to pass it down to the next generation when the time comes.
Meeting Conservation Goals
The sisters discovered the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) during a workshop on legacy planning and conservation-related topics over a decade ago. Through that first meeting, they began working with District Conservationist Alyson Aquino, Ecologist Jackie Charbonneau, Engineer Katie Bergmann, and Rangeland Management Specialist Ling He, as well as multiple specialists from the Alameda County Resource Conservation District (RCD).