California’s legendary rangelands, once the heart of the American West, are vanishing at an alarming rate. Driven by factors such as economic pressures, regulatory challenges, and relentless urban sprawl, these iconic landscapes are under threat—putting the future of cattle ranching in jeopardy. A powerful new documentary shines a spotlight on the determined ranchers battling to save these crucial rangelands for generations to come.

Farmers and ranchers are often called stewards of the land because of their close connection to it. They hold true to the belief that they can and must enhance natural resources to protect the environment, while simultaneously producing food for a growing population. 

For the Mensink family, farming and preserving the natural resources under their care has been a part of their daily life since they began their family farm in Preston, Minnesota in 1981.

Dr. Kristina Horback, an associate professor in the Department of Animal Science at University of California, Davis, has always been fascinated by the lives, and more specifically the minds of cattle. Growing up in the Bay Area, she would travel past ranches, captivated by the sight of cattle grazing on distant hills, and often wondered how these animals navigated the expansive rangelands.

“I was always curious about why the cows were up there on the hill or why they were down the hill,” said Dr. Horback.

Generational farming not only sustains agricultural productivity, but it also serves as a bridge between past wisdom and future innovation, ensuring the preservation of essential farming traditions, while also allowing for the adaptability needed to address modern challenges.  

The CLEAR Center at the University of California, Davis has begun a partnership with the National Pork Board (NPB) to further sustainability research and extension in swine production. The CLEAR Center, led by Dr. Frank Mitloehner, leverages world-class research and science communication to improve sustainability in animal agriculture.