Andree Soares - Star Creek Land Stewards

Andree Soares is a former 27-year NICU nurse turned big-time goat and sheep grazier preventing wildfires in Northern California. Would you quit a stable job as a NICU nurse and bet your future on prescribed grazing? Does California use prescribed grazing to combat wildfires like the one that devastated LA earlier this year? How many shepherds, guardian dogs, and border collies does it take to manage over 10,000 goats and sheep? In today’s episode, Soares answers all these questions and more. She explains why she made such a drastic career shift, how Star Creek Land Stewards work tirelessly to mitigate fire risk and potentially save the lives of school children, and what it takes to make their massive operation function efficiently. Takeaways Star Creek Land Stewards focuses on fire fuel reduction. Andre's family has a long history in the sheep business. The business has grown to manage over 10,000 animals. Grazing can effectively manage vegetation and reduce fire risk. Mixed herds of goats and sheep optimize grazing efficiency. Fire management strategies are crucial in California. Labor challenges are significant in the grazing industry. Pricing strategies depend on logistics and access to sites. Animal husbandry is key to successful grazing operations. Sustainable practices are essential for the future of wild lands Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Goat Grazing Podcast 00:54 Overview of Star Creek Land Stewards 02:17 Andree Soares' Journey to Goat Grazing 06:04 Transition from Nursing to Grazing Business 12:24 Fire Management and Grazing 14:32 California's Growing Interest in Grazing for Fire Prevention 19:50 Creating Defensible Space with Grazing 22:23 Logistics of Managing Large Herds 25:18 Project Management and Client Relations 27:26 Management Roles 34:52 Understanding Bidding Processes in Grazing Services 37:42 Is This Free Feed? 38:59 Is This Agriculture? 40:12 Insurance For Goat Grazing Business 41:53 Labor Challenges in the Grazing Industry 44:06 Legislative Impacts on Agricultural Labor 47:54 Navigating Rising Input Costs 50:48 The Future of Guest Worker Programs 52:16 What Breeds Are You Running 53:23 Value Added Products 54:06 Numbers Of Goats vs. Sheep 54:14 New Chapter 56:20 Parasite Control and Hoof Trimming 59:21 Challenges and Anecdotes in Grazing Operations 59:28 New Chapter 2 01:00:42 Best Piece Of Advice For New Graziers 01:02:09 Closing