Women’s Stockmanship Workshop
September 8-10th 2023
HOSTED BY
Join Women in Ranching, September 8-10th at the beautiful TomKat Ranch in the San Francisco Bay Area for our inaugural skill-building session focused on low-stress animal handling. This offering is a women-led workshop with discussion and practice using a "livestock-centered, behaviorally correct, psychologically-oriented, ethical and humane method of working livestock based on mutual communication and understanding, not coercion." - Bud Williams.
The two days will focus on elements of the human relationships, stock, and tools involved in proper stockmanship. Both classroom and hands-on stock time will provide learning opportunities, experimenting and refining how we interact with our animals and each other.
Marissa Taylor of Lonetree Ranch (WY) will join Stephanie Pittman of TomKat Ranch to bring forward the daily knowledge and tools they use to care for and steward their land, animals, and rural communities.
MARISSA TAYLOR
Marissa Taylor is the Business Manager at her family's ranch in Wyoming and co-owner of Northway Ranch Services. At the ranch, the journey to understand proper stockmanship started with the desire to make the corrals fun and safe for the whole family. The path has led them to develop incredible human friendships and has impacted ranch economics. Marissa holds a Master of Business Administration degree with studies focused on agricultural sustainability. She serves her community and industry in several capacities, including the Governor of Wyoming’s Migration Corridor Task Force, and is a board member for Western Landowners Alliance and Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust.
Stephanie Pittman is the Small Ruminant Coordinator at TomKat Ranch. For the past decade, she has raised livestock at for-profit ranches and educational nonprofits across the country. Her team at TomKat manages a herd of Spanish cashmere goats for increased biodiversity, soil health, wildlife habitat, and wildfire mitigation. She is building a shepherd training and range herding program that prioritizes stockmanship with an emphasis on proper livestock handling and nonviolent stockdogs. This facilitates the team’s ongoing projects, including studying goat grazing in conjunction with prescribed burns and developing an ecological calendar. As a shepherd, Stephanie strives to contribute an example of how thrifty, adaptive ruminants can transform landscapes and bolster climate resiliency.
STEPHANIE PITTMAN
Who Should Attend?
We are looking for 10-12 female-identifying folks who currently work with livestock on a regular basis.
Details
TomKat Ranch will provide all lodging and meals. Lodging is in rustic bell tents; two people will share each tent. Bathrooms and showers are provided nearby.
Can I bring my dog, horse, and kids?!
This session is meant to support your livestock handling skills. Please find capable folks willing to care for your loved ones while you are away to learn, grow and connect with your peers.
TomKat Ranch is a 1,800-acre grass-fed cattle ranch in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their team of ranchers, scientists, educators, and food advocates work to discover, demonstrate, and broadcast agricultural practices that promote productivity and resilience on natural and working lands. Over the next five years, they want to have inspired the transition of five million acres of rangeland to regenerative management.
AGENDA
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Optional arrival if traveling long distance
Tent lodging
6pm Supper provided by TomKat Ranch
ARRIVAL
DAY 01
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8:30-9:15 Breakfast provided by TomKat
Ranch Welcome and intro to the ranch by Wendy Millet and Annie Fresquez
10am-12pm Classroom time with Marissa Taylor
12pm-1pm Lunch provided by TomKat
Ranch 1-5pm Outside arena/corral work with Marissa and Stephanie
5-6pm Relax and freshen up for supper 6pm Supper provided by TomKat
Ranch tent lodging
DAY 02
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7:30-8:30 Breakfast provided by TomKat
Ranch 9am-12pm Classroom time, followed by practice in the field
12pm-1pm Lunch Break provided by TomKat
Ranch 1-3pm Outdoor arena/corral work
3:15 Final farewell from the team tent lodging for those needing to stay overnight due to travel, supper on your own
DEPART
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TRAVEL DAY for those who flew or drove a long distance
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JOIN WAITLIST
This event is currently Sold Out, please add your name to the waitlist if you are interested in attending this clinic. It is common to have a few cancellations to in-person gatherings
TICKET STRUCTURE
Reduced Price $176
Reduced price for working ranch participants facing drought, low-market prices for their livestock, loss of employment, or other hardships. We understand the reality of agricultural work and we want YOU to join us.
Base Price $350
This is the price for participants who are paying their own way to gather with us. If you are living on and caring for land and looking for a community of supportive peers, please choose this option.
Supporter $600
We gather many different kinds of women on the land. Be a visionary and supporter by helping other participants attend at a reduced cost.
Scholarship Option
If you need greater financial help to attend one of the Women in Ranching gatherings, we encourage you to head over to our SCHOLARSHIP page to apply.
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