Family ranch lauded for practices aimed at protecting and improving the land

By TIM HEARDEN

Capital Press

VINA, Calif. -- A California ranching operation was chosen as the best among seven finalists vying for a national award for their environment-friendly practices.

Leavitt Lake Ranches, owned by a family that has run cattle in Northern California for some 150 years, has received the 2009 National Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

The operation, which is certified organic, runs about 600 mother cows and 400 yearlings on some 50,000 acres of leased and deeded land near Susanville and Vina, in Tehama County.

Owners Darrell and Callie Wood, their son Ramsey and daughter Dallice were honored for having implemented practices aimed at protecting and improving their land, according to their nominating organizations, the California Cattlemen's Association and California Rangeland Trust.

The family worked with the Nature Conservancy on a restoration plan for vernal pools, provided an abundance of wildlife habitat, decreased stream bank erosion and improved riparian conditions.

"We were totally stunned" over winning the award, Darrell Wood said. "We didn't expect to because there are so many other great candidates who are regional winners. We didn't think we had a chance."

The Woods were given the award during the NCBA's annual convention Jan. 29 in San Antonio, Texas.

With family ranching ties dating back to the 1860s, the Woods began to acquire and restore former family property over the years. Today, in addition to cattle, they farm 600 acres of alfalfa and 900 acres of irrigated pasture.

Leavitt Lake Ranches has been certified organic for three years, and was listed as natural grain fed for six years before that. Since the operation became organic, Wood has seen premiums for his beef come in at about 30 percent above the average, he has said.

The Stewardship Award is "a ratification of all of the projects we've done," Wood said. "It makes us feel really good about it and proud of what we've done. Going forward, it means we're doing the right thing.

"There's always room for improvement," he said. "We'll continue to look for improvement and refine our operation."