SILACCI RANCH: KEEPING BEEF ON THE PLATE
In the Salinas Valley of California, known as the “Salad Bowl of the World”, a local ranching family is helping to ensure that there will always be protein on the plate.
For over 140 years, the Silacci family has called the Valley home – beginning when patriarch Bautista Silacci immigrated to Monterey County. After living in Moss Landing in the early 1880s, he decided to move inland to Salinas to work at a local dairy. In 1887, seizing an opportunity to establish roots on the land and in the industry, he purchased the dairy. Together, he and his family raised dairy cattle and cultivated various crops, contributing to the Valley’s notorious bounty.
As the family grew, so did their ambitions. In 1939, they acquired an adjoining property, encompassing 9,400 acres from the Valley floor to the mountain peaks of the Gabilan Range. The area boasts seven different plant communities, including Coastal Oak Woodlands, Chaparral, and Annual Grasslands. The varying and rugged terrain was not suitable for many of the traditional crops grown in the area, so they decided to shift their operations.
The Silaccis transitioned from raising dairy cattle to beef cattle while continuing to grow crops on 300 acres of the ranch along the Valley floor. This not only diversified their income but also, through rotational grazing, provided significant environmental benefits for the local wildlife and plants, including special-status species such as the golden eagle, California tiger salamander, Pinnacles buckwheat, Tule Elk, and California false lupine.
Pete Silacci, third generation on the ranch and current co-manager, noted, “We see wildlife and a variety of plants all the time; it is just a part of being on the ranch.
As much as we call this ranch a home, it is our intention [through our management] for it to stay a home for all of them as well.”
As the years progressed, the family and their ranching business prospered on the property, but they slowly started to notice a shift in the community around them.
Despite its nickname and deep agricultural roots, the Valley could not escape the inevitable growth and development happening throughout the region. In 1940, Salinas was a small town of 11,586 people, primarily populated by farm and ranch workers. Over the following decades, the area experienced significant expansion with the population soaring to 151,060 by the 2000s.
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Our Mission: To serve the land, people, and wildlife by conserving California's working rangelands.
SILACCI RANCH, MONTEREY COUNTY
Kevin and Pete Silacci on the Silacci Ranch in Monterey County
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR
Carolyn Carey, Alturas
VICE CHAIR
Clayton Koopmann, Sunol
SECRETARY
Sylvia Cattani, Bakersfield
TREASURER
Bruce Hart, Glen Ellen
PAST CHAIR
Andy Mills, Placerville
DIRECTORS
Michael Dennis, Santa Margarita
Angelo Genasci, Sierra Valley
Valerie Gordon, Alpine County
Mark Lacey, Lone Pine
Kyle Lucas, Fields Landing
Doug McDonald, Palos Verdes Estates
Jared Mathis, Laguna Hills
EMERITUS COUNCIL
Devere Dressler, Gardnerville, NV
Jack Hanson, Susanville
K. Mark Nelson, Wilton
Dan O’Connell, Colusa
Steve Sinton, Shandon
Darrel Sweet, Livermore
Darrell Wood, Vina
STAFF
Michael Delbar, Chief Executive Officer
Jon Cartwright, Finance Director
Jackie Flatt, Conservation Director
Shannon Foucault, Development Director
Alyssa Rolen, Communications Director
Steve Blank, Principal Gifts
Nancy Schaefer, Senior Project Manager
Brent Duka, Annual Giving Manager
Robin Hanson, Programs Manager
Madison Goss, Communications Specialist
Mikie McDonnell, Stewardship Manager
Mike Norberg, Accounting Specialist
JT Reiser, Transaction Manager
Katerina Webster, Transaction Specialist
Joyce Vitug, Development and Events Associate
Kassie Yde, Executive Assistant
Justin Gallo, Rangeland Steward
Emily Ehrke, Intern
LEADERSHIP LETTER
Dear Friend,
We’ve had a spectacular summer at the Rangeland Trust. Since our Spring report, you’ve helped us conserve four more ranches, including landscapes in San Joaquin, Shasta, San Benito, and Madera Counties. Your commitment has led to a grand total of 94 ranches conserved that encompass 399,600 acres of California rangeland. This is incredible! And soon we will be celebrating another important milestone—the conservation of 400,000 acres.
You may also recall hearing about our commitment to help ranching families meet their stewardship, restoration, and business goals. I’m pleased to share that over the summer, we were able to bring new offerings to the ranching community by hosting the first in a series of succession planning workshops (see full recap below) and a webinar on virtual fencing. Both the workshop and webinar were well attended, and we look forward to providing more offerings on these and other topics later this fall and in the years ahead. After all, conserving rangeland is only the first part of our mission. Ensuring the land has a viable and healthy future is just as critical.
Together, we are continuing to make an impact. Thank you for sharing in this commitment to preserve California’s critical working landscapes and the natural resources they support. We are grateful for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Michael Delbar CEO
CONSERVING YOUR LEGACY
On June 5th in San Luis Obispo, the California Rangeland Trust hosted the first of a series of succession planning workshops titled, “Conserving Your Legacy”. The workshop featured a collection of landowners and experts to discuss the crucial process of estate planning for ranching families.
Krista Sabin, partner at Ogden & Fricks LLP, kicked off the day by highlighting the importance of estate planning with a look inside the world of the Dutton family from the fictional TV series, Yellowstone. The day then proceeded with a panel discussion featuring Nita Vail (land broker), Todd Murphy (land appraiser), and Sarah Kramer (ag loan officer), followed by a Q&A with local ranchers and Rangeland Trust landowner partners, Kyler Hamann, Kevin Kester, and Steve Sinton. Scott Pilchard, of Western Skies Advisory, wrapped up the day by discussing the various investment options available when setting up estate plans. The Rangeland Trust knows that keeping ranchers ranching means supporting them in planning for the future. That's why we are committed to helping connect them with key resources to assist them in achieving their goals. We are planning on holding more succession planning workshops throughout the state. Visit www.rangelandtrust.org/events for more information on upcoming workshops or reach out to Robin Hanson at rhanson@rangelandtrust.org
SILACCI RANCH CONT.
This period of urban expansion mirrors trends across California and the nation, where farms and ranches continue to disappear while being replaced by urban development. Statewide, California lost more than 465,000 acres of ranch and farmland from 2001 to 2016. And future trends look just as bleak with projected losses of nearly 797,000 acres of productive agricultural land by 2040— an area over half the size of the Salinas Valley’s 1.2 million acres of prime agricultural space.
Determined to preserve their legacy
For over 140 years, the
family
amidst urban sprawl and mounting pressures facing producers, Pete, along with his son and co-manager, Kevin Silacci, sought a lasting solution to protect their land in perpetuity. In 2023, they partnered with the California Rangeland Trust to secure a conservation easement on the entire property, ensuring its future as a working ranch and wildlife haven.
Funding to complete conservation was secured through Walmart’s Acres for America Program and through a private foundation. Acres for America is a competitive grant program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It is dedicated to conserving lands and wildlife habitat of national significance while benefiting local communities and economies. Because of its unique location, the Silacci Ranch plays a crucial role in connecting over 27,600 acres of uninterrupted migration corridors and conserved habitat for local wildlife. This, along with the land’s ecological importance, made it a top contender to receive grant funding.
For the Silaccis, the conservation easement is not only securing prime wildlife habitat, but also helping to strengthen the future viability of their family businesses, preserve the agricultural traditions of the region, and ensure the sustainability of the land.
“Between balancing taxes, regulations, climate change and everything else, anyone in the industry is aware that it is becoming increasingly more and more difficult for landowners to maintain their property, while keeping it true to its history, and then pass property to their children,” explained Kevin. “While it is a privilege working this land, it is also difficult and hard work. By partnering with the California Rangeland Trust, we conserved the land in its natural, working state while providing an avenue for our children to keep the legacy in the family for future generations.”
As urban sprawl encroaches and challenges to modern ranching persist, the Silacci family remains resilient, as does the conserved landscape they so carefully steward. For over 140 years, they have been integral to the Salinas Valley, contributing to its agricultural bounty, upholding its legacy as a global food hub, and providing both quality crops and beef to consumers. The Silacci Ranch, with its thriving ecosystems and sustainable practices, is a testament to the Valley's enduring role in global agriculture.
In the Salad Bowl of the World, the Silacci family ensures that beef has its place alongside the Valley's famous produce—because, as the saying goes, "Eat beef; the West was not won on salad."
By Madison Goss, Communications Specialist
LEGACY COUNCIL
CHAIR
Jessica Schley
MEMBERS
Michael Campbell
Pam Doiron
Devere Dressler
Glenn Drown
Angelo Genasci
Valerie Gordon
Alexandra Gough
George and Kassandra Gough
Erik Gregersen
Sherry Harkins
Bruce and Elizabeth Hart
B. Wayne Hughes Jr.
Natasha Hunt
Eric Hvolboll
Caroline Power Kindrish
Lynn Kirst
Richard and Sharon Kline
Tim Koopmann
Jack Kuechler
Ken and Julie LaGrande
Eric and Megan Lindberg
Paul and Tina McEnroe
Morris Noble Jr.
Will and Danice Noble
Hayes and Patricia Noel
Rylee Pedotti
Steve and Liz Peterson
Steve and Jane Sinton
Scott and Karen Stone
Adrianna Pope Sullivan
Emily Taylor
Molly Taylor
Ben and Cheryl Trosky
John Vosburgh
VISIONARIES' CIRCLE
Herb and Mareva Barthels
Lorraine Bazan
Robert W. Carrau, Jr.
Michelle Cox
Ken Finn
Robin Flournoy*
Valerie Gordon
Erik Gregersen
Sheila Head
Lynn Kirst
Richard and Sharon Kline
Colleen Lenihan
Keith Whiting Moore
John Quinlan and Elizabeth Currie
Marilyn Russell
Steve and Jane Sinton
Nita Vail
Sheila Varian*
Requested anonymous (4)
*Deceased
Silacci
has called the Salinas Valley home, beginning when patriarch, Bautista Silacci, immigrated to Monterey County.
YOUR VOICE, EVERYONE’S FUTURE
Every year, the Rangeland Trust Staff and Board visit various parts of the state to engage with conservation partners, landowners, peers, supporters, and community leaders to understand what’s important and relevant in the places where we work.
Since it’s hard for our team to set foot in all 58 counties of this beautiful state, we also aim to open channels for you to reach out to us and let us know what’s on your mind. Sometimes this is encouraged through surveys, donation forms, or often just through our website. The point is, we love to hear from you!
And we do hear you.
For ranchers, we are collaborating with like-minded organizations throughout the state to develop and provide valuable information and resources to help you wherever needed on your lands or in succession planning.
For all our supporters, we’re listening to what you feel is important – and when there’s a fit, we give you opportunities to engage in those things through the Rangeland Trust. We also continue to expand our events to help meet more of you in person and to get your boots out on some beautiful ranches!
We won’t stick to outdated messaging if it’s not relevant. And when you tell us what’s important, that helps us to reach more people like you to get them involved in working lands conservation.
After all, we know the importance of being local. And the ranches being conserved are in your backyard.
You help us build the movement to save these lands while we still can.
So when you make your next gift, please include a note about what is going on in your neck of the woods, activities we should know about, people we might connect with, what is keeping you up at night (the good and the not so good), and what inspires you to be part of conserving rangelands.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Share with us a note about what drives you to take part in conserving working lands!
Click Here to make your next gift.
SADDLE TO SUPPORTER: JOE JAUREGUI
Born and raised on his family’s ranch in Santa Paula, Joe Jauregui “grew up in a cowboy world.” Their ranch, located about 40 miles south of Santa Barbara, is where Joe recalls some of his fondest memories.
Joe’s Great Grandfather, Antonio, planted the family’s roots in the greater Santa Barbara area during the mid 1800s. As a sheep herder, cattle rancher, and steward of the land, he laid the foundation for generations of agricultural prosperity. Joe’s Grandfather, Frank, would settle in as the head of the family’s Santa Paula Ranch. Carrying on the family’s livestock traditions, Frank expanded their business ventures to pasture the family’s livestock on other leased property as well as their own. Helping to preserve the viability and sustainability of operations is always at the forefront of ranchers’ minds. Joe adds, “Ranchers aren’t doing it for the money.”
As the years flew by, Joe’s father, Anthony “Toots” Jauregui and his two younger brothers found themselves at the helm of the family’s ranch. Joe was put to work at an early age. While many of today’s 4-year-olds must adhere to a strict schedule of iPads and play dates, Joe was busy collecting chicken eggs and helping to raise lambs. He recalls these memories with the deepest affection and attributes them to an important life lesson: “I learned what it means to be self-reliant on that ranch.”
As Joe advanced into adulthood and entered the teaching profession, he forever valued the wisdom and education he received from his father on the Santa Paula Ranch. He later earned a position as High School Principal for 20 years.
Over time, Joe has maintained his connection to ranching, and one day while reading about the California Rangeland Trust, he thought about how he could honor his father’s heritage. For the last 12 years, Joe has been a consistent supporter of California’s ranchers through his contributions to the organization. He has been able to make an impact and conserve rangeland by utilizing the advantages of a Donor Advised Fund—giving in memory of his father, Toots.
Thank you, Joe, for being an advocate for ranchers and a source of inspiration to us all.
SCOTT THOMPSON IN MEMORIAM
Scott Alan Thompson was born on March 10, 1957, in Eagle Rock, California, to George and Nancy Thompson. He was the oldest of five children: Keith, Alicia, Christine, and Wayne. Scott grew up in the San Bernardino Mountains and graduated from Rim of the World High School in 1975. He married Patti Goodwin on October 6, 1984, and together, they raised a beautiful family which includes children: Tonya, Ashly, Teagan, Taylor, and Connor; their spouses: Adam, Daniel, Jennie, and Olivia; and their grandchildren: Ava, Saydee, Kodi, Wyatt, Cash, Waylon, Luke, Walker, Urijah, JJ, Rafe, and Kenley.
Scott was a high school science teacher and coach for a time. He later became a rancher and a firefighter. In 1994, Scott and Patti moved their family to Beckwourth to raise their family and start ranching on the Goodwin Ranches, which were conserved in partnership with the Rangeland Trust in 2011 and 2012.
Scott loved country music, especially George Strait, and his hero was John Wayne. So, it’s fitting that Scott and The Duke share the same date of passing, June 11th. Scott was a man of God, who loved the Lord and his family deeply. He will be greatly missed by his family and the lives he touched. Happy Trails, until we meet again.
ANN JACKSON FAMILY FOUNDATION
ANONYMOUS (4)
ELIZABETH AUSTIN*
PAULA BARMAPER
JANE BARNES*
DOUGLAS BEEMAN
THE BENEVITY COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND
WILLIAM BIANCHI
NANCY BIRDWELL
CLAY BOSS
CLAIRE AND SANDY BREDIN*
SHARON AND JOHN BROBERG
MARGARET BUSS
CAROLYN CAREY
JON CARTWRIGHT
SYLVIA CATTANI*
ANNE CEHRS*
NATE CHANCE*
DENNIS CORELIS
JANELL CORNFORTH
KASEY COTULLA
KEN AND SANDI DEWAR
THOMAS DOUGLAS
BRENT DUKA
DAVID DUKA
E. & J. GALLO WINERY
HONORARIA
IN HONOR OF BILLY AND ATHENA FLOURNOY
STUART EPSTEIN
IN HONOR OF LYNN KIRST
CATHY ATKINSON
MARY LOUISE DAYS
JAMES GARCIA AND ERIN GRAFFY
BONNIE HENRICKS
KAREN AND SI JENKINS*
JOHN AND BARBARA KINNEAR III*
STEPHANIE AND RICHARD ORTALE*
ANN PICCIUTO AND RICK GEHRKE
KATHERINE SCHOMER
JUDITH SMITH
TRISHA TONER
CARYL WRAY
THANK YOU DONORS
APRIL 1, 2024 THROUGH JULY 31, 2024
A. EGGERS-JONES
DALE EISENBERG*
GLORIA ERICKSON*
KIM AND DAVE ERICKSON
MARCIA EYHERABIDE
FIDELITY CHARITABLE
BARRY FISHER
ELIZABETH FLOOD
STEVENSON*
KEN AND JACKIE FULGHAM
ANGELO GENASCI*
MARY JANE GENOCHIO
GEORGE AND RUTH
BRADFORD FOUNDATION
PAMELA GLANZMAN
GREEN DIAMOND
RESOURCE COMPANY
VALERIE GORDON^
MADISON GOSS
LINDSEY HAHN SPAAK
KELLY HAWTHORNE
MICHAEL HAYDE
THE HERBST FOUNDATION
MARY HEYDEN AND DAVID ANDERSON*
ASHLEY HILL
DAVID AND NANCY HILL
ERIC HUNT
ANGELA JACKSON
AL AND CHRISTIE JAHNS
JOSIAH JENKINS
AMANDA JENSEN MARTIN
JOHN S. KIEWIT MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
PATRICIA KELLY
KRIS KING
LYNN KIRST*^
AUDREY KNIGHT
DOUG KNUDSON
CARL AND TERESA
MACDONALD
BRAD MIERKA
RANCHO MISSION VIEJO
GARY AND ANNA NETT*
NICHOLS FAMILY
RICHARD PALMATEER
PAYPAL GIVING FUND
JON AND LINDY PEDOTTI*
KATHLEEN PENSINGER
ERLING AND SUE POHLS*
CARRIE RANDOLPH*
KRISTIN RIGGS
ALYSSA AND MATT ROLEN
LINDA RUSH AND STEVE WRIGHT*
MARILYN RUSSELL*^+
SACRAMENTO REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
JAY AND TINA SALTER
SUSAN SAWYER
IN HONOR OF STEVE SINTON
PATRICIA AND HAYES NOEL*
GAIL S. SCHOETTLER*
IN HONOR OF THE SINTON FAMILY
AVENALES SPORTSMENS CLUB
THE ATASCADERO HORSEMEN'S
LARRY SMITH
RYAN SMITH
IN HONOR OF NITA VAIL
KARL AND LAURIE GAGE
MEMORIALS
IN MEMORY OF RON ARINGTON
TERRI ARINGTON*
IN MEMORY OF W. JAMES CLAWSON
KEN AND JACKIE FULGHAM
IN MEMORY OF PAUL R. DEATS
MUFFY CASBERG
IN MEMORY OF JARRETT
DUNLAP
DAN AND BARBARA O'CONNELL*
IN MEMORY OF ROBIN FLOURNOY
MONTE PERSON*
LEE AND BONNIE ROSSER*
SCHWAB CHARITABLE
JOHN AND JUDY SEMAS
PATRICIA SERIO
DONNA SHOEMAKER
AVENALES CATTLE CO. +
STEVE SINTON*^+
STANISLAUS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
JENNIFER SWEASY
JANE TAYLOR
JEANNIE THOMSON
BILL TIETJE
T-MOBILE
MERRIE TOMPKINS*+
LYLE TURPIN
VAN VLECK RANCHES*+
JACK AND ZEE VARIAN*+
GAY AND JIM VERSTEEG
JOYCE VITUG
STEVE AND JUDY WALKER
EFFIE WESTERVELT*
FRAN WOODS*
ROBIN AND CAROLINE
NEWHALL WOODS JR.*
DAVID ZELINKSY
*SILVER SPUR ^VISIONARIES' CIRCLE +COMPLETED CONSERVATION PARTNER
IN MEMORY OF RILEY E. "PUNCH" HASKELL
DAN AND BARBARA O'CONNELL*
IN MEMORY OF ARNE HVOLBOLL
CAROL BURY
IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM "BILL" KING
LOWELL MCDONNELL
IN MEMORY OF DUANE MARTIN SR
DOUG LOREE JOSES*
IN MEMORY OF GEORGINA
PATRICIA NOREN
DOUGLAS NOREN*
IN MEMORY OF AL VAIL AND RUSS VAIL
MARY VAIL
DO MORE WITH YOUR DONOR ADVISED FUND
Your financial and charitable goals are a reflection of your commitment to support the future for your loved ones, causes you value, and the greater community. A convenient and easy way to organize your charitable intentions is through a donor advised fund, or DAF.
This “charitable savings account” gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is granted to organizations like the Rangeland Trust. You can use your DAF to make an immediate impact through current or recurring gifts, or use it as a tool for future giving. You can even use your DAF as another way to engage the next generation in financial literacy, resource planning, and community investment.
How does it work?
You open a DAF at a community foundation or sponsoring organization, such as Fidelity Charitable. You can then make contributions to your fund at any time. These contributions are invested by the sponsoring organization, which provides regular accounting to you.
Next, you make recommendations for various amounts to be distributed as “grants” to nonprofit organizations of your choice, such as the Rangeland Trust. You can engage the next generation in giftmaking decisions, or you can turn your DAF into a lasting legacy at the Rangeland Trust by naming us as a beneficiary of your account later. [Our tax ID: 31-1631453]
When choosing where to set up your DAF, you’ll want to make sure the sponsoring organization you select supports your values and intentions. Take time to carefully read their policies and procedures and review their administration or investment fees.
How You Benefit From a DAF
w You qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction every time you make a gift to the fund.
w You don’t have to retain tax-reporting records for each organization.
w Families can build a tradition of giving by involving the next generation in decisions about which grants to recommend.
If you already have a DAF, are you using it to the fullest? Here are some ideas:
w Itemize your taxes to realize an income tax charitable deduction from DAF contributions.
w Transfer complex assets, such as real estate or business interests, into your DAF account without incurring capital gains taxes.
w Designate your DAF as the beneficiary of your IRA or charitable remainder trust, with instructions for distribution or for the next generation to carry onward.
Learn More
If you would like more information on setting up a DAF to support rangeland conservation, please contact Shannon Foucault at (916) 444-2096 or sfoucault@rangelandtrust.org.
This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor.
3900 Lennane Dr., Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95834
www.rangelandtrust.org
FOLLOW DUSTY ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Over the past year, the Rangeland Trust has been cruising along the road in style! Thanks to our generous friends at Rio Vista Chevrolet in Buellton, California, our trusty pickup truck, “DUSTY ROADES,” has become an integral part of our organization.
Dusty is more than just a vehicle; it's a symbol of our commitment toward conserving California's rangelands. From the lush valleys to the rugged coastlines, Dusty has been hitting the open road alongside Rangeland Trust staff; forging connections with our invaluable landowner partners, donors, and fellow rangeland enthusiasts; and experiencing the vibrant tapestry of California's landscapes. And the best part…you can join in on these adventures too!
Follow @FindingDustyRoades on Instagram and Facebook! By doing so, you'll gain an inside look at some of the most majestic, exclusive, and scenic ranches in California. So, buckle up and get ready to find new roads while exploring incredible working landscapes across the Golden State.
Looking for a new car or truck?
Contact Rio Vista Chevrolet, and tell them Dusty sent you!
Call Tyler Smith at (805) 693-4642 or email tyler@riovista.com.
