Ecological Range Management and Adaptive Grazing

Faculty: Wendell Gilgert, M.S. [Bio]

This course addresses whole ranch and grazing management planning and design, with a focus on climate smart/regenerative practice implementation and assessment. We will explore key concepts include the Holistic Management (HMI or Savory) and the Nine Step Conservation Planning Process from NRCS. Topics Include:

• Prehistoric and historic herbivory in California.
• Resource assessments (walking/reading the land).
• Enhancing land doctoring skills.
• Grazing management strategies.
• Ranch conservation planning.
• Grazing management plans.
• Transition to new grazing strategy.
• Multi-species grazing.

Next Course Dates: 
Early Spring '26

Live-Online Discussions: 
2 hours, once a week

Regenerative Forestry

Faculty: Dr. Cindy Prescott [Bio]

The aim of regenerative forestry is to promote the abundance, diversity and functioning of soil life, to better enable forests to be resilient in the face of stresses they will face in the 21st century. Soil life can be stewarded through practices that promote the flux of carbon from plants to the belowground ecosystem. This course will first present our current scientific understanding of the diversity of life belowground in forests and the fluxes of plant carbon that fuel the belowground ecosystem. We will then explore how forestry practices could be adapted to promote soil biodiversity and functioning. Students will be tasked with envisioning a management strategy that would foster belowground life in a forest that they are familiar with.

Next Course: 
Spring '26

Live-Online Discussions: 
Tuesdays, 9–11 a.m.

Course Fee: $500

Tribal Co-Stewardship Conservation Planning: A Modoc Nation Case Study

Faculty: Ken Sandusky [Bio]

This class is an introduction to tribal relations, cultural competency, and understanding your tribal partners. We'll discuss the benefits of meaningful tribal relations, cultural applications, and the link between indigenous culture and traditional cultural practices. Specifics will include the role of wildfire in the ecosystem, traditional fire use, tribal relations techniques, partnership building, and project design and implementation. Course goals include:

• Establishing a tribal relations context that qualifies practices to be considered.
• Establishing a “systems” approach to engaging tribal partners.
• Synthesizing and integrating interdisciplinary participation to engage tribal partners.
• Establishing impacts of mainstream practices on community relations and project effectiveness.
• Understanding theory and science behind tribal relations and incorporating IEK into project design.
• Understanding the technical, social, and economic implications for transition.

Next Course: 
Spring '26

Live-Online Discussions: 
Thursdays, 9–11 a.m.

Course Fee: $500

Regenerative Theory and Practice in Orchard Systems

Faculty: Rory Crowley [Bio]

This course provides entry-/mid-level learning outcomes and real-world resources for producers and technical assistance providers on the theory and practice of regenerative orchard management within both conventional and regenerative treenut systems. Upon completion the participant will have foundational knowledge of processes, research, implementation, and unknowns within the current treenut agro-ecosystems while being able to appreciate, articulate, and participate in its future.

Course Dates: 
TBA, Spring '26 

Course Fee: $650

Introduction to Beekeeping

Faculty: Emily Helton

Emily Helton served for six years as a Research and Extension Technician at the University of Florida Honey Bee Lab where she contributed to research on native bees, varroa mites, pesticides, nutrition, and more. She helped develop the University of Florida’s Online Master Beekeeper Program, wrote the book, "Expert Guide to Honey Bees & Beekeeping," and leads public education efforts at the Honeybee Discovery Center.

This course introduces students to the biology of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and provides a comprehensive overview of beekeeping practices. Students will learn about the life cycle, anatomy, behavior, and ecology of honey bees and explore essential beekeeping methods such as hive management, honey production, and disease control. The course combines theoretical and practical knowledge. 

Course Dates: 
June 17–July 11

Course Fee: $500

Live-Online Discussions:
Thursdays, 9–11 a.m.

Registration Deadline: 
June 10

Whole Farm/Ranch Planning and Design

Faculty: Dr. Cynthia Daley [Bio] and Lindsey Hethcote [Bio]

This course supports the transitional process to a plan, implement, monitor, replan management framework that encourages producers and ag professionals to work through a systems lens that addresses economic success and improved land health. Participants will develop a vision that incorporates management goals, establish a land management plan, and identify metrics to quantify outcomes and reassess their plan annually. Topics include:

• Managing complex systems: establishing context to set goals with a vision.
• Farm/ranch assessment: resources and inventories from the ground up.
• Tools for enhancing resources within agroecosystems: a review of conservation practices and conservation effects.
• Whole farm/ranch planning: enhancing resources and meeting goals.
• The decision-making process: putting a conservation plan into action.
• The carbon lens: evaluating a farm/ranch plan for GHG reduction and co-benefits.
• Economic evaluation of farm/ranch plan.
• Monitoring for adaptive management.

Course Dates: 
July 22–August 29

Live-Online Discussions: 
Tuesdays, 9–11 a.m.

Course Fee: $650

Registration Deadline: 
July 14