Please see below announcement from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District), regarding a Request for Proposals (RFP) to lease District property for conservation grazing...

The District has released an RFP for three grazing units in San Mateo County: 1) Bluebrush Canyon (260 acres); 2) Lone Madrone (2,060 acres); and 3) Big Dipper/Mindego (695 acres). The District invites qualified livestock operators to submit a proposal for one or more of the three listed grazing units. Proposals should reflect the operator's relevant qualifications, experience, and desire to work with the District by utilizing conservation grazing to meet District goals.

To view the RFP package and for additional information please visit our website, www.openspace.org and click on “What We do”/“Bids and Proposals.” Viewing the RFP does require that applicants sign up for a free account to the public procurement site, Periscope. Instructions for signing up for a Periscope account can be found here or on the “Bids and Proposals” webpage. Make sure to click on the “Register for free” icon. Once logged in to Periscope, you will find basic details about the RFP in the “Description” section, but you will need to download the attachments in the “Documents” section to see the full RFP. Most critically, you will need to download the document “1. 2024 RFP Grazing Leases.” Copies of the RFP and all subsequent addenda will only be made available through Periscope and cannot be sent directly to interested applicants.

Please pay special attention to the mandatory meeting that is scheduled for March 14^th at 5pm. That meeting will be held at the District's Administrative Office in Los Altos but can also be attended virtually. If you plan to attend that meeting, you must register with me by 5pm on Thursday, March 7^th.

Should you have any issues registering for Periscope or have further questions, please contact me by email, mshapero@openspace.org, or phone, 650-625-6510.  

Join the San Benito County Cattlemen's Association for their membership drive, which will include dinner and dancing. This will be a fun event with live music by Jesse Daniel. You'll also hear from key note speakers and get updates from other local organizations.

Date

January 20, 2024

Time

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Cattlemen's meeting

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Dinner and Dance

Location

The Overlook at Paicines Ranch

13388 Airline Hwy, Paicines, CA 95043

Cost

The suggested donation for the concert is $25, which includes a year of membership with the San Benito County Cattlemen's Association. Appetizers and a BBQ dinner is also included in the price of the donation.                  

RSVP

Contact sbccattlemens@yahoo.com to RSVP

Questions

For questions, contact Jason at 831-212-7377

The UC ANR Fire Network recently developed three factsheets that might be of interest to the ranching community.

1.  Keeping Livestock Safe and Healthy During Wildfires
2. Land Stewardship and Vegetation Management
3. Wildfire Preparedness for Farms, Ranches, and Agricultural Operations

Join the San Benito County Weed Management Area for the 22^nd Annual Continuing Education Seminar for Ranchers. It will be at the Oaks Room at Bolado Park this year.

2.5 hours of pesticide continuing education credit (including 1 hour of Laws and Regulations) have been approved by the Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Date: Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Time: 8:00 am to 12:15 pm

Location: Oaks Room at Bolado Park: 9000 Airline Highway, Tres Pinos, CA 95075

Cost: Free

Topics will include

• Management techniques to control invasive weeds
• Biology, spread, and control of stinkwort
• using cattle grazing as a tool to control weeds
• Livestock health updates
• Controlling ground squirrels

Click here for the flyer.

Also, click here for information on how to renew your private applicator license.