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Barbwire Fence at Sunset

HOLISTIC RANCH MANAGEMENT at Rancho Ventura

Rancho Ventura has been a working landscape for the past 225 years.  A symbiotically functioning ecosystem that is also productive ranchland. Visitors will personally experience this working landscape through agritourism and ecotourism programs and events.

Rancho Ventura’s historic grazing operation utilizes between 150 – 350 head of cattle to holistically manage the land.  Practicing high intensity short duration rotational grazing that benefits both the ecosystem and agricultural operations. Advantages to the ecosystem include decreased erosion, increased biodiversity, reduced long term intensity of grazing, enhanced wildlife habitat, control of invasive weeds, and conserves wildlife corridors.

In addition to pasture land, there are also 90 acres of avocado orchards, citrus trees and other seasonal row crops such as pumpkins and bee hives that produce honey. Future goals of Rancho Ventura include a demonstration farm and fruit stand.

Rancho Ventura is made up of one contiguous open space creating an uninterrupted wildlife corridor connecting all the way to the Los Padres National Forest. Low disturbance, lack of development, continuous maintenance of the wildlife corridor and proper land management and enhancement has allowed wildlife to thrive. This is highly significant because these habitats support a wide range of biodiversity and provide refuge for many threatened and endangered plant and animal species.

Although very close to a metropolitan area, the wildlife and plants in the Ventura Foothills remain relatively isolated and protected. Ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the land, increase and restore valuable habitat, document, and study wildlife and eventually acquire more land in the Ventura Hillsides for permanent conservation are the cornerstone of Rancho Ventura’s commitment to our community.

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