With a commitment to the future of Capay Valley, the Tribe looks at decision-making through a lens of good environmental stewardship in all of our operations. Yocha Dehe Farm and Ranch works closely with local and national experts and agencies to employ the newest technologies and best practices in caring for our farmland, rangeland and water resources. More than 1,200 acres of our land are in conservation easement.
In choosing crops to cultivate, we select species naturally suited to the Capay Valley soils and climate.
Water is a precious resource and we are vigilant about preventing waste, employing the highest efficiency irrigation and conservation systems on all Yocha Dehe lands. Our certified organic fields are irrigated with a high efficiency underground drip system, developed with the help of two USDA grants.
Preserving our rangeland requires curbing the erosion that can harm local waterways. Working with leading federal agencies, the Tribe is restoring riparian land banks, installing cross fencing and improving water distribution using solar pumps.
Yocha Dehe is keenly aware that sustainability and stewardship require a long-term plan, and we are committed to educating future generations about conservation. This includes hosting “Field Days” in partnership with Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship (SLEWS), which enable students from Yocha Dehe Academy and local high schools to experience first-hand the importance of being stewards of our environment.