2008 A Western Affair
Vintage Angus Ranch Modesto
Hosted by Jim and Sue Coleman and
Tim and Kara Coleman of Sierra RanchCalifornia Rangeland Trust Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary at A Western Affair
by Erin Davis, director of communications Ten
years ago a small group of progressive cattlemen sat down at an annual
meeting and discussed how they could help their fellow ranchers stay on
their land and sustain their way of life. Shortly after this monumental
meeting, are solution was passed by the cattlemen’s membership to form
the California Rangeland Trust. On Saturday, June 14 the
California Rangeland Trust joined with over 200friends and supporters
to celebrate 10 years of rangeland conservation at their annual
fundraiser “A Western Affair” hosted by Jim and Sue Coleman, Modesto,
of Vintage Angus Ranch and Tim and Kara Coleman, Modesto, of Sierra
Ranch. The Chairman of the Board, Devere Dressler, Gardnerville,
Nevada, welcomed guests as theysat to eat and spoke about the
organization’s history and recognized how far rangeland conservation
has come. “Today we celebrate the bridges we have made and partnerships
forged as exemplified in groups such as the California Rangeland
Conservation Coalition or the many easements we have collaborated on
with groups such as American Farmland Trust, Trust for Public Land, the
Nature Conservancy or the Department of Fish and Game to name a few. To
date the Rangeland Trust has worked with ranchers and partners to
conserve over 183,000 acres of rangeland in California.” Devere
then invited Bob Fox, Auburn, to the stage to acknowledge those who
have contributed to the ranching industry’s success. Special guests at
the event were several of the past Livestock Men of the Year and the
present recipient, Hank Stone of Yolo Land and Cattle Co., Woodland. These
individuals were recognized as part of the celebratory program
highlighting rangeland conservation and were honored for their
outstanding commitment to the viability of the livestock industry that
is inextricably tied to the health of our State’s rangelands. The group
included:Ed Biaggini, Morro Bay, 1980, Joe Russ IV, Ferndale, 1987, an
original Director of the Rangeland Trust, Don Jackson, Oakdale, 1990,
Ellington Peek, Shasta Livestock, 1993, Marden Wilber, Clements, 2003,
Jim Coelho, Fremont, 2005, and Hank Stone, Woodland, 2008. This
year’s event was also special because the organization announced its
inaugural recipient of the Conservationist of the Year Award, Lt.
Governor John Garamendi, for his long-time commitment to the
environment and rangeland conservation. As the Rangeland Trust
celebrated its 10 year anniversary, it commemorated its history
acknowledging their first conservation easement donated in 1998 by the
Garamendi family on the Touch the Earth Ranch, located in Calaveras
County. “To be selected as
conservationist of the year by my ranching colleagues is an honor I
never expected to have. I am deeply grateful to all ranchers who love
the land and who want it preserved for future generations. They are the
true conservationists,” said Lt. Governor Garamendi upon receiving the
award. “The Rangeland Trust wants to preserve open space,
rangeland habitat and California’s Western legacy; and we want to allow
that opportunity to be there for future generations. The Lt. Governor
John Garamendi shares this vision and exemplifies sincere dedication to
advancing these values,” said Nita Vail, executive director, who
presented the award with Devere Dressler. The
Conservationist of the Year Award is the highest and most prestigious
award bestowed by the Rangeland Trust. The recipient of this award
exemplifies true dedication to the advancement of the environment and
rangeland conservation in California and preserving the ranching
industry’s Western legacy. “The Rangeland Trust wants more than
open space, we want to preserve a way of life and allow that
opportunity to be there for future generations. Lt. Governor John
Garamendi is being given this award because he shares this vision and
has continued to work with us over the years to seerangeland
conservation continue to be successful,” said Devere Dressler. During
the cocktail hour and after dinner guests had the opportunity to visit
an information booth about the Rangeland Trust and to visit the country
store provided by Bobbi Faria of Yosemite Hide Co., Merced. To wrap the
night in melody a bluegrass trio named the Campbell Creek Gang,
Clements, filled the afternoon and evening with their wonderful sounds.
These three young men were a hit as they meandered among the crowd.
A delicious steak dinner was served by Copper Spur Bar-B-Que,Modesto,
and drinks were poured at the hosted bar by Harry’s Affairs. Each table
was treated to Gallo Family Vineyard Wines graciously donated by Jim
and Sue Coleman. The highlight of the
evening began as Bill Lefty, Roseville, took the auction block. The
lively auction was a huge success with the help of announcer Bob Fox,
Auburn, and ringmen: John Dickinson, Sacramento, Dickinson Marketing,
Col. Jon Dolieslager, Dinuba,Tulare County Stockyard, Matt MacFarlane,
Sheridan,California Cattleman Magazine and Ellington Peek, Cottonwood,
Shasta Livestock Yard, Jerry York, Nampa, Idaho,Western Livestock
Journal.
The live auction was
organized by event co-chair Kendra Wilber, Clements, and the silent
auction was organized by Carole Silveira, Firebaugh with help from
Melinda Koopmann, Sunol, and Karen Sweet, Livermore. A special thank
you goes out to Kendra Wilber, who has been the chair of this event for
seven years. In addition to the
committee’s dedication and generosity,the California Cattlemen’s
Association’s Young Cattlemen did an outstanding job as volunteers for
parking, registration, meal service and clean-up. A big thank you to
the Young Cattlemen who helped make this event possible: Ryan Nelson,
Callie Borror, Brie Witt, Courtney Mills, Jimmy Blase and Laura Barnes.
An event like this is not possible without the generous support of
corporate and private sponsors and this year’s event had outstanding
support from new and old donors alike. Listed on these pages are the
Silver,Bronze and Cowboy Sponsors of this year’s event.
Celebrating our Western Heritage-
A Western Affair 2007
A Western Affair at Rancho San Julian is once again an affair to remember
Nearly 500 guests entered the historic Rancho San Julian, Lompoc,
for an evening celebration to benefit the California Rangeland Trust, Sacramento, on June 2,
2007. As guests passed the early 19th century adobe casa the scene
opened up to a wide pasture where they were ushered into a beautifully
decorated tent. The candle-lit dinner tables were the perfect setting for the
once again successful live and silent auctions.
As guests mingled under a canopy decorated with twinkle lights, foliage and
antique western décor, all done by a committee headed by Mindi Christian, they
feasted on hors d’oeuvres while gazing at the hills surrounding Rancho San
Julian headquarters and the event site. Guests had the opportunity to view
displays of the Trust’s closed easement projects in the restored dairy barn and
to visit the country store provided by Bobbi Faria of Yosemite Hide Co., Merced. To wrap the night
in melody the fiddle-based country tunes of Julie Beaver and the Bad Dogs, Paso
Robles, floated among the crowd as they played.
Guests were treated to an outstanding steak and tilapia dinner accompanied by
roasted potatoes and a gourmet salad all provided by Martin Testa of Testa
Catering, Santa Maria. Custom labeled water bottles were also donated by Glenn
Drown of Borrego Springs Bottled Water. To top off this delicious meal, wine on
the tables and at the open bar was donated by Hampton Farming, Brooks
Firestone, Sandy and Heloise Power, Thekla and Richard Sanford’s Alma Rosa
Winery and Elizabeth Flood Stevenson.
The Chairman of the Board, Darrell Wood, welcomed guests as they sat to eat and
shared the Trust’s mission and their reason for bringing the group together for
this evening celebration. “The Trust is here to help families and ranchers stay
in business and give them a tool to compete in California’s changing landscape. Tonight we
are here to celebrate what ranching families provide us in rich cultural
traditions, open space, wildlife habitat and many other intangible things.”
Next, Wood invited Lieutenant Governor, John Garamendi, Sacramento, to address the crowd as the
Rangeland Trust’s first easement project closed in 1998, shortly after the
Trust’s inception. He received a rousing applause as he talked about the
importance of saving California’s
rangelands. John was in attendance with his wife Patti Garamendi.
As dinner continued Bob Fox, Auburn,
came to the stage to introduce the Trust’s special guests. Unique to this
year’s event were five special guests invited to help the Trust and guests
celebrate the western heritage kept alive by California’s ranches. These guests included:
Bobbi Ingersoll, Ronnie Richards, Ted Robinson, Cotton Rosser and Sheila Varian.
Bob introduced each of these noteworthy guests to the crowd and explained their
many accomplishments which help to sustain the traditions and heritage of the
ranching industry in our state.
The highlight of the evening began as Bill Lefty, Yuba City, took the auction block. A lively
auction ensued with the help of announcer Ted Robinson. With all this help the
Trust was thrilled to bring in more than $148,000 from both the live and silent
auctions.
The live auction was organized by live auction chair, Abbie Nelson and the
silent auction was organized by Carole Silveira with help from Karen Stone, who
also organized the registration for the event. A special thank you goes out to
the event committee chair Kendra Wilbur, who has been the chair of this event
for six years and local event chair Brandy Branquinho.
In addition to the committee’s dedication and generosity the California
Cattlemen’s Association’s Young Cattlemen did an outstanding job as volunteers
for parking, registration, meal service and clean-up. A big thank you to the
Young Cattlemen who helped make this event possible!
“At our event this year we wanted to honor the past while recognizing how it
links with our future and the future of ranching. We are so grateful to all who
have supported us, our sponsors, our special guests, our board and our many
volunteers. It will take all of us to support a viable future for our state’s
rangelands and our ranching families,” said Nita Vail, executive director of
the Trust.
CRT's 2006 Event
Coverage:
California Rangeland Trust hosts annual
fundraising event in Sanger
On
June 3, 2006, a group of 400 friends and supporters of California
Rangeland
Trust gathered for an evening at John and Carole Harris' River Ranch on
the Kings River in Sanger A record-setting live and silent
auction brought in more than $173,000.
Guests
from throughout the state arrived at the ranch to experience an expansive view
of the Kings River, horse pastures and the
Harris home. The evening began with a social hour, hors d'oeuvres and a magnificent
ice sculpture from caterer Harris Ranch Restaurant, Coalinga. The silent
auction was organized by Carole Silveira of Firebaugh and Abbie Nelson
ofWilton, with help from Jennifer Rice of Clements, Karen Stone of Woodland and
Jakki McDonald of Sacramento. Bobbi Faria of Yosemite Hide Co., Merced, added a "country
store" setup by the river, offering unique western gift items.
Host
John Harris welcomed the crowd, and Darrell Wood, Susanville, chair of the
California Rangeland Trust, introduced the board of directors, and thanked
supporters and sponsors.
The
evening's dinner was elegantly prepared and served by Vince Papagini and his
Harris Ranch Restaurant team. Bob Denney of Hames Valley Vineyards, Bradley,
donated the wine served with dinner. Spirited bluegrass music was provided
throughout the evening by California Rangeland Trust board member Scott Stone
and the Plainfield Pickers of Woodland. "We'd like to extend our sincerest
gratitude to everyone who contributed to our annual event," said Wood. Much of
the success is due to the work of the event committee, chaired by Kendra
Wilber, Clements; and assisted by Nita Vail, Sacramento,
executive director of California Rangeland Trust; and Sherry Harkins, Walnut Creek.
A
lively auction with Col. Bill Lefty, Yuba City, at the microphone with help of
announcer Bob Fox, Auburn, and ringmen Jerry York, Nampa, Idaho, Western
Livestock Journal; Matt Macfarlane, Sheridan, California Cattleman; John
Dickinson, Sacramento, Angus Journal; and Col. Jon Dolieslager, Dinuba,
Tulare County Stockyard. Young cattlemen members, assisting with check-in and
the auction, included Heston Nunes of Modesto,Ryan Nelson of Wilton, Cassie
Silviera of Sanger, Melanie Andrade of Madera and Clayton Koopmann of Sunol.
The
California Rangeland Trust board of directors would like to extend a special
thank you to hosts John and Carole Harris, the event organizers, and all of the
individuals and businesses contributing to making this year's "Western Affair"
the most successful yet. A complete list of donors and event photos are
featured on the following pages.
"A Day on Cowboy Island" – Santa Rosa Island
The event on Santa Rosa Island,
October 3, was a huge success! With nearly 200 friends and family in attendance
and beautiful weather, we could not be more pleased with the outcome of this
event. Laughter and conversations filled the ranch headquarters yard that day
and it was testament to the wonderful time had by all!
As guests arrived by sea and by air they were greeted with an
expansive view of this wild island and the ranch headquarters nestled on its
eastern coast. All the ranch facilities including the barns, loading chute, the
bunkhouse, the old schoolhouse and the main house were open to the guests for
touring and exploring. Boat travelers docked at the end of the pier where
cattle were once loaded and unloaded for their stay on the island.
As lunch ensued Nita Vail, Tim Vail and Will Woolley, all
Vail family members, spoke to the audience about the rich history of the island
community that once supported the cattle operation on the island. One of the
many special guests at the event was EK Smith, the only man born on the island
that is living today. Additionally, many cowboys and their families that once
worked and lived on the island were there to celebrate the island's legacy.
On behalf of the California Rangeland Trust and the Vail and
Vickers families we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all our
guests, volunteers and supporters. This celebration of the cowboy spirit and
paying tribute to the heritage of the California
rancher was one of a kind.
Annual Cowboy Breakfast
Once again CRT was joined by nearly 200 cattlemen and
cattlewomen from throughout California
on Thursday, November 16 at the Sacramento Double Tree for our annual Cowboy
Breakfast. This unique event always draws a crowd prior to the California
Cattlemen's Association committee meetings.
Our keynote speakers, lawyers James Leet and Kent Silvester
from McDonough Holland & Allen PC,
discussed the new tax incentives now available to ranchers since the passage of
the new Pension Protection Act on August 17, 2006. Guests were able to learn
about how they may benefit from this remarkable triumph in legislation for
today's ranching family.
In addition, this year we had a special treat with Mike Beck
of Spreckles as our featured entertainer. Mike is a cowboy poet, songwriter and
storyteller who has performed all over the U.S.
and Europe. He is also renowned for his horse
clinics and brings real life "cowboying" experience to his music and
entertainment.
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