Pt. Reyes National Park Equestrian Scoping Meeting
De-Bunking 7 Common Myths About Keeping Chickens in Town
Loss of open land is the greatest threat to the future of all equestrian activities and businesses - even to the continued existence of horses themselves.
VISIT THE EQUESTRIAN LAND CONSERVATION RESOURCE
California is one of only 5 states in the union that do not protect horse activities through Equine Activity Statutes
A VOICE FOR FARM ANIMALS |
NAPA COUNTY LIVESTOCK COUNCILGOAL: To preserve the right to farm in Napa County, including the keeping of livestock of all species MISSION: To serve as a resource to the County of Napa by providing expertise and non-binding recommendations in animal husbandry issues and to help resolve disputes arising from these issues. DESCRIPTION: Community members with expertise or longstanding experience with the various species of livestock have organized to form the Napa County Livestock Council. The Napa County Livestock Council was formed in response to the Napa County Planning Commission’s request at the conclusion of the November 19, 2008, public hearing discussing a proposal to amend the Napa County Code section 18.08.040 affecting small lot animal husbandry uses. The Napa County Livestock Council suggests using the following “triage system” for handling livestock-related complaints: 1. County will inform the complaining party of the existing Right to Farm ordinance. 2. County will assess the issue in terms of the tools they have for handling livestock issues: o Department of Environmental Health to address human health and water safety concerns. o Napa County Animal Control to investigate animal welfare, abuse or neglect issues. o Napa County Department of Conservation, Development and Planning Department for situations in violation of County Code. 3. County will consult the Napa County Livestock Council as needed, in making these assessments. 4. If the issue cannot be resolved with the above steps, the Napa County Livestock Council will offer the following: o The owner of the livestock in question will be referred to the Livestock Council’s website: www.napacountylivestockcouncil.com for species specific animal husbandry recommendations that would address issues such as fly control, manure management, dust abatement, etc. o The next step would involve a Livestock Council meeting to review the situation and a phone call from the appropriate Council member to discuss options. o A site visit by the Council member may be warranted if the prior steps fail to resolve the issue. The Napa County Livestock Council is an advisory group, not a regulatory group. Its members will be volunteers with no authority to enter properties or seize animals. The council is self-selected for expertise and experience, with additional people being called upon from time to time, as needed. The Council does not meet regularly, but only as needed by the County. The website is the primary means of communication with the public. The Napa County Livestock Council will work closely with the County concerning any livestock related planning decisions, changes in County Code or other laws. Napa County’s land use is unique and unlike any other. The Napa County Livestock Council will serve to educate the citizens of Napa County and to assist the Planning Commission in preserving the Right to Farm in Napa County for future generations. NAPA COUNTY LIVESTOCK COUNCIL CHARTER MEMBERS Dr. Claudia Sonder, Charter Member, Chair - Veterinarian, Horse Expert Large animal DVM in Napa since 1997 Co owner of Napa Valley Veterinary Hospital Inc. Dr. David Gold, Charter Member – Veterinarian, Ruminant Expert Peter Garaventa, Charter Member, Community Member Peter was born and raised in Napa County. He has been invited to be on the Napa County Livestock council as a citizen representative. Garaventa attended U.C. Davis as an Animal Physiology major and completed several internships at the Equine Reproduction Laboratory. His work experience includes vineyard management, Napa Free Range Beef, and he was a former assistant to a local equine veterinary practice. He is currently attending Sonoma State University to complete a Biology degree and continues to manage the maintenance department for a local family owned business. Peter recently completed the Colorado State University Equine Artificial Insemination Program and has plans to breed horses commercially in the future. Michael Kerson, Charter Member Horse, donkey, mule, chicken owner Bureau of Land Management Adopt a Wild Horse and Burro Program – Trained & Certified Compliance Volunteer Gentles and Trains wild horses for BLM adoptions Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association – Member/Past Board Member Farmed with draft horses in the ‘70s 1972 – Present: Co-Founder & continuous Executive Director of Vine Village, Inc, a non-profit serving people with special needs. 2003 – Present: Video Mike Productions – Documentary, training, and promotional film maker - Has produced 22 training and special interest videos about horses, donkeys, and mules www.video-mike.com Grape grower since 1975 Nancy Kerson, Charter Member – Website designer Current Livestock Involvement: Hub Leader for BLM Wild Horse & Burros volunteers for Napa, Sonoma & Marin Counties Chair, Napa Mustang Days 2007 & 2009 Owner of Horses, donkeys, mule Poultry owner for 38 years Website creator for 2 informational websites about wild horses & burros: www.cabaa.org, for BLM Volunteers, and www.mustangs4us.com – educational website about wild horses that averages 2000 visitors per month Youth & Livestock Experience: Past 4-H project leader, past Brownie & Girl Scout Leader Past Instructor, Dairy Goat Husbandry, Napa Valley College Community Education Past Instructor, Animal Husbandry for People with Special Needs, Napa Valley College; 1981 – 84 Past American Dairy Goat Association licensed Dairy Goat Judge Co-Author, The Breeders’ Directory: Outstanding Dairy Goats of the Year Chair, Western States Wild Horse & Burro Expo, Reno, Nevada 2002 – 2006 Saanen Kerson, Charter Member – Liaison to Napa County Staff 1141A Congress Valley Road, Napa, CA 94558 (707) 251-8125 home phone/fax line (707) 799-2399 cell phone – preferred (707) 255-4006 office Bureau of Land Management Adopt a Wild Horse and Burro Program – Trained & certified Compliance Volunteer Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association – Member/Past Board Member Past 4H Member Owned and showed Registered Nubian Dairy Goats Owner of a gentled and trained adopted wild horse from the Bureau of Land Management Napa Women’s Club Evening Edition – Past President Napa Valley Cal Alumni Club – President Leadership Napa Valley – Member of Class 22 Vine Village, Inc. – Associate Director Sheryle Paukert, Charter Member – Poultry Expert Napa County 4-h countywide poultry leader for 19 years Napa Town & Country Fair poultry superintendant for 15 years California State certified poultry health inspector for 5 years Registered Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner. Tom is an internist and nephrologist in private practice in Napa. Paul Tarap, Charter Member - Native Napan, Long Time Cattle Rancher, and Developer and Manager of the at risk youth animal program-Christian Brother’s Ranch. Heidi Vietor, Charter Member – FFA and Vintage High Farm Program Advisor Jim Wilson, Charter Member – Owner Wilson’s Feed My name is Jim Wilson. I’m 64 years old and have lived in Napa for the last 50 years. As a youngster I grew up on a poultry farm in Arvin, CA. As a teenager here in Napa, I began working on a cattle ranch. There I learned about breeding, castrating, vaccinating, and the feeding of cattle. This was also where I learned about the care and maintenance needed to properly raise large animals. We raised and harvested hay for these cattle. For a period of time, I raised large numbers of hogs for market. In later years, with my children, we experienced the breeding and showing of hogs. I spent many years as a livestock committee person for the Napa Town & Country Fair, working with 4-H and F.F.A. groups. During these years I’ve owned and operated a local feed store which includes the sales of feed and supplies for large and small animals. Much of my knowledge has come from working in the industry, but probably as much has been learned from farmers and ranchers with first hand knowledge. I deal with people everyday who are new to country life. It’s been a source of pleasure for me to be able to teach and help those interested in raising livestock on a daily basis.
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Napa County's "Right To Farm" law remains strong and clear.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL SMALL FARMERS: Quick Facts: Napa County citizens participate in the raising of all species of livestock for farm income and for personal satisfaction, as a time-honored part of country living Horses & all other livestock contribute to the economy and well-being of the people of Napa County
THE LEGAL ABILITY TO KEEP LIVESTOCK ENHANCES PROPERTY VALUES: Many people choose to live in Napa County precisely for those small acreage parcels, where they can keep horses and other livestock Horses and other livestock are an asset to the country ambience of a neighborhood Both residents and visitors to Napa enjoy seeing horses, cows, chickens, goats and sheep, etc. A new law limiting horse ownership to a set number per acre would suddenly force an estimated 900 horses out of their homes - where will they go? Does the County really want the forced surrender of beloved family horses to the slaughterhouses of Mexico on their conscience? |