Silvopasture and Infrastructure Plan
El Sobrante, California | Project Manager
Context: Goat Wild Collective is a small, community-scale goat dairy and meat operation in the Bay Area with goats and sheep. The collective is committed to regenerative agriculture, food security, and ecological stewardship. To reduce pressure on sensitive creek habitats and build long-term resilience, they are transitioning to silvopasture and rotational grazing systems that integrate perennial goat fodder with holistic herd management.
Task: Design a comprehensive rotational grazing plan and perennial fodder system that balances ecological goals, animal welfare, labor capacity, and budget constraints. Develop a strategy for water distribution with long-term foresight to support pasture resilience and herd health. The plan must be grounded in research on small-scale dairying, agroforestry, and perennial forage systems, and developed collaboratively with collective members through facilitated site visits and planning sessions.
Approach:
Research & Analysis: Synthesize best practices from regenerative grazing, silvopasture, and perennial forage literature including The Art & Science of Grazing by Sarah Flack, Silvopasture by Steve Gabriel, and forthcoming work by Eric Toensmeier. Integrate Britney Cole Bush’s expertise in rangeland management and consult with Kara Huntermoon, expert in living fences, to inform site-appropriate infrastructure. Assess small-scale dairy models and sustainable infrastructure precedents.
Collaborative Design: Develop a holistic site map, equipment recommendations, and labor budgets for installation and long-term management. Map existing site conditions and identify constraints/opportunities related to ecology, stakeholders, and capacity.
Facilitation: Lead onsite meetings and conversations with collective members to align on vision, document baseline conditions, troubleshoot current herd and water management challenges, and co-create solutions.