Turning environmental challenges into opportunities in California

Stephanie’s ranch is no stranger to environmental challenges. Dense vegetation, steep ridgetops, and invasive plants like mustard and artichokes have made traditional land management difficult. But her goats, guided by virtual fencing, are turning these obstacles into opportunities.

“Our forests were at high risk of burning. Now my goats are clearing fire hazards and rehabilitating land we couldn’t use before,” she explains. By grazing dense undergrowth and removing fuel ladders beneath the ranch’s coastal oaks, the goats are helping to create safer, healthier forests.

The precision grazing offered by Nofence has also enabled Stephanie to reclaim land that was previously unusable for livestock, improving both soil health and biodiversity.

A sustainable grazing system for the future

While her husband oversees their cattle operation, Stephanie is focused on using Nofence to manage her goat herd, and she’s already thinking ahead about expanding the technology to their cattle operation.

“I’d love to integrate Nofence for our cattle. It would allow us to create smaller paddocks and improve grazing efficiency across the ranch,” Stephanie says. “The idea of managing both goats and cattle with virtual fencing is exciting. It opens up new ways to protect the land while improving productivity.”

Stephanie envisions using Nofence to bring goats and cattle together in a coordinated system. “Goats are perfect for clearing brush and opening up land, and cattle can come in afterward to graze the grass. Together, they’re a powerful team for land restoration,” she explains. “With goats and cattle, we could combine their strengths—using goats to clear tough terrain and cattle to improve pasture health. Virtual fencing makes it possible.”

Simplifying grazing with technology 

Stephanie uses the Nofence app daily to monitor her herd’s location and adjust grazing areas as needed. 

“I’m not very tech-savvy, but the Nofence app is so intuitive. It makes managing my goats simple, even on steep hillsides and dense brush,” she shares. “With just a few taps on my phone, I can set up pastures and monitor my goats anywhere.”

The technology has also enabled her family to get involved. Her teenage sons and her husband help with goat care and fully support her project.