2 CapitalPress.com January 19, 2018 People & Places Promoting sustainable ranching Tracy Schohr puts her background to work to help livestock industry Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Susan Rana Mike Omeg Corporate Officer Heidi Wright Chief Operating Officer Western Innovator By TIM HEARDEN For the Capital Press CHICO, Calif. — Tracy Schohr has devoted much of her career to promoting sus- tainability in ranching. While at the California Cattlemen’s Association, she put on an annual “rangeland summit” that brought ranch- ers together with environmen- tal experts and climate change policymakers. She also worked on a pro- gram to limit ranchers’ risk of facing Endangered Species Act violations if they created habitat on their land. After going back to school to earn her master’s degree at the University of Califor- nia-Davis, Schohr has become a UC Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resourc- es adviser based in Plumas, Sierra and Butte counties. “At CCA, I realized that science was really where it’s at,” said Schohr, 34, noting that science is the basis not only for regulations but for solutions. “It’s exciting and chal- lenging at the same time,” she said. “Agriculture does a lot of great things but is really bad at telling the story ... of all that ranchers do for natural resources and caring for live- stock.” In her role, she will con- duct education programs and research focusing on livestock production and sustainable range and pasture manage- ment, according to a news release. She has plenty of experi- ence as a farmer and rancher, growing up on a farm in Grid- ley, Calif., that still produces walnuts, rice and cattle. She is a managing partner for Schohr Ranch, handling tasks related to livestock produc- tion, accounting, equipment operation, human resources and marketing. Capital Press Capital Press Managers Joe Beach ..................Editor & Publisher Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Tracy Schohr Occupation: Farmer and rancher; University of Cali- fornia Cooperative Exten- sion livestock and natural resources adviser Jessica Boone ........ Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2018 EO Media Group dba Capital Press Age: 34 Hometown: Gridley, Calif. Family: Significant other Ryan Imbach; son Colton Website: ucce-plumas-sier- ra.ucanr.edu/ Tim Hearden/For the Capital Press Tracy Schohr, a former California Cattlemen’s Association staffer, recently took over as a University of California Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resources adviser based in Quincy, Calif. “I think it provides a unique opportunity for me” to know what other farmers have to go through to cope with regulations and other hurdles, Schohr said. Having earned her bach- elor’s degree in agricultural business from California State University-Chico, Schohr went to work for the CCA in 2004, serving for two years as director of industry affairs. In 2006, she became direc- tor of rangeland conservation for the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition, a collaborative effort to get agriculture and environmen- tal groups and government agencies to promote working rangelands as a tool for caring for the environment. The coalition’s 101 part- ners ranged from county su- pervisors and conservation districts to green groups such as the Nature Conservancy. The CCA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service com- bined to fund the position held by Schohr, who worked out of the CCA office. Formed in 2005, the orga- nization sponsors the annual Rangeland Summit, which enables ranchers, land manag- ers, agency officials and con- servationists to learn about cooperative conservation, research results and working landscapes. Among its other initia- tives, the coalition worked with Fish and Wildlife to set up so-called “safe harbor agreements” that would shield private landowners from vio- lations of the Endangered Species Act if they made hab- itat improvements on their properties. “There was discussion with the leadership and the officers at the time about trying to de- velop a greater recognition about how grazing fit in with natural resources,” Schohr said. “It really mirrored what the rice industry had done to change the perception of that industry.” But the CCA withdrew its support for one such agree- ment in Northern California in 2010 after receiving push- back from some members concerned about the deal’s impact on non-participating neighboring landowners. Many farmers and ranch- ers have shown more willing- ness to work with agencies and environmental groups in recent years, perhaps spurred on by the severity of the re- cent drought. In Siskiyou County, for in- stance, customers of the Scott Valley Irrigation District ob- tained a permit to divert high winter flows and apply them to alfalfa fields to help with groundwater recharge. “I think you can learn a lot of lessons with challeng- es,” Schohr said. “I think rec- ognizing that all of ag isn’t the same is one. Also, when you’re working with ranch- ers, two-way communication is key. That’s something I’m taking into my new position.” While in Davis, Schohr worked in the Department of Plant Sciences from 2012 to 2014, where she helped with research projects related to irrigated pasture, mountain meadows, livestock preda- tion, annual rangelands and invasive species. For two years before join- ing the UCCE, Schohr was a farmer outreach specialist for K-COE Isom, a national agri- cultural accounting and con- sulting firm. As a UCCE livestock and natural resources advis- er based in Quincy, Calif., Schohr said she plans to sit down with area ranchers and “develop a short-term and long-term vision.” She’ll be conducting a Beef Quality Assurance train- ing session in Quincy and Loyalton, Calif., on Jan. 19- 20. Schohr said she’s bringing three “key visions” into her new job. “For one, I will be a re- source for ranchers in the area (navigating) regulations and policies,” she said, noting that she could let producers know who to contact for predator in- vestigations. Secondly, her research will focus on helping ranches re- main economically successful while also educating those in other fields about the impor- tance of ranching to the over- all economy, she said. And finally, Schohr will be part of a broader network of UC researchers and special- ists who are already making a difference for ranchers, she said. Being a fourth-generation rancher whose family sum- mered cattle up on the Sutter Buttes when she was a child will help her relate to produc- ers and give her a valuable perspective on research, she said. “It gives me a good under- standing when we’re looking at developing research ... to recognize how the research fits into the broader world, how it fits in economically and making sure the research being done is of value to pro- ducers,” she said. An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Circulation ......................... 800-882-6789 Email ........ 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The meeting theme is “Empow- erment through Applied Sci- ence.” The SRM is an internation- al organization that strives to promote public awareness of the importance of sound man- agement and use of rangeland, the world’s largest land base, according to an FFA press re- lease. In 1966 the SRM recog- nized the need to involve youth in the range-related activities and education provided at the annual meeting. Since that time, the youth Calendar forum has been a highlight of the meetings. High school del- egates are cho- sen by each of the 21 individ- Erin ual sections of Brisbine the parent soci- ety throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico based on their degree of inter- est in the range and natural re- sources field For further information re- garding the Society for Range Management log onto www. rangelands.com. For more information about the High School Youth Forum contact Barron S. Rec- tor, co-chairman of the HSYF subcommittee, at the Exten- sion Ecosystem Science and Management Office at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Sponsored by: To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Sub- mit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301 or emailed to newsroom@ capitalpress.com. Write “Calendar” in the subject line. Friday, Jan. 19 SAIF Agri-Business Banquet. 6-9 p.m. Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial St. SE, Salem, Ore. The SAIF Agri-Business Ban- quet is a celebration of the agricul- tural community and its impact on the mid-Willamette Valley. Website: https://salemchamber.org/ Through Saturday Jan. 20 Cascadia Grains Conference, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mott- man Road SW, Olympia, Wash. Saturday features a full conference focusing on growing grains in West- ern Washington. Website: https:// cascadiagrains.com/ Saturday, Jan. 20 14th Annual Cattleman’s Work- shop. 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. Blue Mountain Conference Center, 404 12th St., La Grande, Ore. This year’s agenda includes presentations on the impor- tance of quality beef programs, how retailers add value to beef, an update on the Pacific Rim beef market, the use of genomic-enhanced EPDs to improve beef quality and the 2016 na- tional beef quality audit. The program, is free. Lunch is included. No pre-reg- istration is required. Website: http:// oregonstate.edu/dept/eoarcunion/ Sheep Producer Workshop — Small Flocks. Flying Mule Farm, 11515 Joeger Road, Auburn, Calif. This is the small flock version of the workshop presented by the California Five vie for Oregon Dairy Princess-Ambassador drawal from bank or credit card account) SALEM, Ore. — There are speeches to prepare, scrapbooks to finish and cur- rent events to brush up on as five young women prepare for the 2018 Oregon Dairy Princess-Ambassador con- test later this month. Hosted by the Oregon Dairy Women, the 59th an- nual coronation banquet will take place Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Salem Convention Center, according to a press release from the organization. 2017 Oregon Dairy Prin- cess-Ambassador, Kiara Sin- gle, will close her year rep- resenting the dairy industry and will crown her successor, who will be responsible for continuing the legacy of pro- motion of dairy products. For the past year, these five representatives have represented their counties, promoting dairy products, educating the public about nutrition and enlightening 2 years U.S. .................................$89.99 1 year Canada .................................$275 1 year other countries ......... call for quote 1 year Internet only .......................$49.99 1 year 4-H, FFA students and teachers ....$30 9 months 4-H, FFA students & teachers .....$25 Visa and Mastercard accepted Oregon Dairy Women The five county representatives stand with 2017 Oregon Dairy Princess-Ambassador Kiara Single, far left, on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol. From left to right are Rachel Jenck of Til- lamook County, Stephanie Breazile of Linn and Benton counties, Jessica Monroe of Yamhill County, Megan Sprute of Washington County and Donata Doornenbal of Marion County. their communities about life on a dairy farm. The finalists are Stephanie Breazile of Linn and Benton counties, Donata Doornenbal of Marion County, Rachel Jenck of Tillamook, Megan Sprute of Washington County and Jessica Monroe of Yam- hill County. The contestants will partic- ipate in three days of speeches and interviews. The winner will be crowned at the conclu- sion of Saturday’s banquet. Tickets for the event should be ordered by Jan. 22 from the Oregon Dairy Wom- en by calling (503) 357-9152 or visiting oregondairywom- en.com/events. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are $50 per person and must be paid in advance. GASES / WELDING / SAFETY / FIRE www.oxarc.com Wool Growers Association on improv- ing lamb marketing and quality. To register contact info@woolgrowers. org, (916) 444-8122. Tuesday-Thursday Jan. 23-25 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference. Three Rivers Conven- tion Center, 7016 W Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick, Wash. Topics range from cultivar performance to workshops on a variety of topics. Website: http://www.potatoconfer- ence.com/index.html FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chin- den Blvd., Boise. Food Safety Specialist and Assistant Profes- sor Jeff Kronenberg of TechHelp and the University of Idaho will host a 2.5 Day FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food Course Jan. 23-25 in Boise. Cost: $725. 1 year U.S. ...................................$49.99 20 Northwest Locations Website: http://www.techhelp.org/ events/385/fspcaboise2018/ Wednesday-Saturday Jan. 24-27 EcoFarm Conference. Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove, Calif. The Eco- logical Farming Association (Eco- Farm) presents the 38th annual Eco- Farm Conference. Featuring over 70 workshops, intensives, keynote speakers, an exhibitor marketplace, seed swap, live entertainment, mix- ers and organic culinary fare. To learn more and to register, visit www. eco-farm.org/conference. 1-800-765-9055 Feb. 6 is Starting a Farm Stand/Agri- tourism Operation. Website: http://bit. ly/JacksonSmallFarms Tuesday-Thursday Feb. 6-8 Spokane Ag Expo and Pacif- ic Northwest Farm Forum. 9 a.m. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, Pre- sentations on the weather, ag econ- omy and the farm bill will be featured in addition to a full slate of workshops and the large display of equipment. An FFA presentation and career fair will be offered. Website: www.ag- show.org Tuesday, Feb. 6 Friday, Feb. 16 Developing or Expanding Your Farm Stand or Agritourism Operation, Part 2. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. OSU Extension, Auditorium, SOREC, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point, Ore. Are you in- terested in developing or expanding a farm stand or agritourism operation? Pesticide-free Strategies for the Landscape Professional. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oregon City Pioneer Communi- ty Center, 615 Fifth St., Oregon City, Ore. Field session March 14. Cost: $50 http://www.pesticide.org/healthy_ landscape_workshop To get information published Mailing address: Capital Press P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main office or news staff member closest to you, send the in- formation to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. 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