Wildfarmers, 20112 Panoche Road, Box 215, Paicines, CA (2026)

08/10/2025

A wildfire came dangerously close to Wildfarmers yesterday. There was an amazing group of fire people here. Not just CalFire but also Marin County Fire Dept, Point Reyes Fire Dept… Fire departments and firefighters from surrounding counties and all around the state - too many to name here. A lot of hard-working, talented people made sure that fire didn't cross our ridgeline.

The fire community is the best example of collaboration there is in this crazy world. We are so thankful for them! ❤️‍🔥

08/02/2025

Wildlife at Wildfarmers: Oak soil and soil microbes

• Soil is a heterogeneous habitat with constantly changing environmental conditions for microbial growth.
• Soil microorganisms are present in high numbers and have a wide range of metabolic activities and physiological properties that play a vital role in the cycling of nutrients within the soil and are essential for the removal of pollutants from soil.
• The soil contains a wide range of substrates for microorganisms, from simple sugars to the most complex materials, such as humus.
• The consequence of chemical and physical heterogeneity of soil is that soil harbors the greatest diversity of life.
Source
Blue Oak Soil Type Preferences
Well-Drained Soil
Blue Oaks thrive in well-drained soil, which is crucial for preventing root rot. Ensuring proper drainage allows the roots to breathe and absorb nutrients effectively.
Soil Composition
The ideal soil composition for blue oaks includes a mix of sandy loam or rocky soils. This combination provides the necessary aeration and stability for healthy growth.
pH Levels
For optimal growth, blue oaks prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, with pH levels ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. Maintaining this pH range helps support nutrient availability.
Drought Resistance
Once established, blue oaks demonstrate impressive drought resistance. Their adaptability to dry conditions makes them a resilient choice for various landscapes.
Understanding these soil preferences is essential for planting Blue Oaks successfully. With the right soil conditions, you can ensure your tree flourishes and contributes to the environment for years to come.
Next, let’s explore how the proximity to other plants and structures can impact the growth of your blue oak.
Source
Microbes
Most soil microbes can be classified as fungi, bacteria, archaea, protozoa, or viruses. It has been estimated that a single gram of soil can contain up to several billion bacteria alone. In agricultural systems, soil microbes are directly associated with soil carbon because of the essential role they play in residue decomposition and nutrient cycling. In soils, carbon-based (organic) materials include plant litter, compounds released from plant roots, living or dead soil organisms and larger soil fauna like worms and insects, as well as their waste. Collectively, all carbon-based materials, including living things, are known as soil organic matter.
Soil microbes need access to nutrition and water and therefore tend to concentrate near sources of soil organic matter. Microbial biomass and diversity tend to be much higher in soil immediately surrounding plant roots, an area known as the rhizosphere and other organic matter deposits. Due to their close proximity to plant roots, soil microbes significantly affect soil and crop health. Some of the activities they perform include nitrogen-fixation, phosphorus solubilization, suppression of pests and pathogens, improvement of plant stress and decomposition that leads to soil aggregation. However, soil microbes can also be harmful to crops if they cause disease or compete for nutrients.
Benefits, challenges, and considerations associated with managing soil microbes using different methods are thoroughly outlined in the aforementioned articles. Predicting the overall response of the soil microbial community to any of these practices is challenging. Microbial management practices can help growers achieve specific goals. However, any intervention can yield complex or unintended consequences. Farmers have very few tools available to monitor the impacts of microbial soil interventions and are encouraged to focus on the following considerations.
• Microbes play an important role in crop and soil health but can be beneficial or harmful.
• Current research has not yet optimized microbial contributions to soil systems.
• Soil microbial impact on crop and soil health will depend on composition and activities of existing soil microorganisms as well as other soil characteristics.
• Farmers are urged to be selective when using time-intensive or financially-intensive management practices.
• Performance of some products or practices can be monitored on individual farms but should be considered in small trials.
• It is possible to introduce pathogens or other microbes with negative impacts when attempting to introduce beneficials.
• Soil building practices can have overall beneficial impacts on soil biological communities and are encouraged to build soil health on farms.

Source
Author: Carmel de Bertaut has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Biodiversity Stewardship and a minor in Environmental Studies. She has worked in the fields of wildlife rehabilitation and ecological monitoring.

03/24/2025

As part of Wildfarmers Restoration/Stewardship Project, small deep pools collect rainwater to slowly seep into and help recharge the groundwater.

03/14/2025

Veronica Stork, WildFarmers' Executive Director and a founding member of the Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association (CCPA), firing at the prescribed burn at Calera Vineyards, January 26, 2025, and at WildFarmers!

At WildFarmers, two BurnBot units were used simultaneously for the first time ever, burning acres of ground in just a few minutes. These prescribed and controlled fires enhance wildfire resilience in California. Thank you BurnBot!

10/15/2024

Please join us in congratulating Wildfarmers founder, Veronica Stork, for receiving the World’s Most Inspirational Stork award, presented by The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Well deserved! 👏👏👏

07/20/2024

Wildlife at Wildfarmers: American Badger

The American badger (Taxidea taxus) is a North American badger similar in appearance to the European badger, although not closely related. It is found in the western, central and
northeastern United States, northern Mexico and south-central Canada to certain areas of southwestern British Columbia.
It prefers grasslands and open areas with friable soil and a supply of rodent prey. It can also be found in forests marshes, brushy areas, hot deserts, and mountain meadows.

The American badger is a member of the Mustelidae family, a diverse family of carnivores which includes weasels, otters, ferrets and the wolverine. The American badger has most of the
general characteristics common to badgers including stocky and low-slung body with short, powerful legs and is identifiable by its huge foreclaws (measuring up to 5 cm in length) and
distinctive head markings.

Measuring between 23.5 and 29.5 inches in length, males are slightly larger than females. They can attain an average weight of 14 to 16 pounds for females and up to 19 pounds for males.
Except for the head, the American badger is covered with a grizzled, brown, black and white coat of coarse hair or fur, giving almost a mixed brown-tan appearance. Its triangular face shows
a distinctive black and white pattern, with brown or blackish "badges" marking the cheeks and a white stripe extending from the nose to the base of the head.

It is generally nocturnal though can be seen during the day or at twilight. It does not hibernate but can become less active in winter. A badger can spend much of the winter in cycles of torpor that last around 29 hours.

This species in often seen with the coyote (Canis latrans) while hunting. Researchers have found that the coyote benefits by an increased catch rate of about 33%. According to research, this partnership works due to the different hunting styles of the predators and how their prey reacts to them. A ground squirrel, upon spotting a coyote, will crawl into its hole to escape;
while upon seeing a badger, the ground squirrel will climb out of its hole and use its speed to outrun the badger. Hunting in tandem raises prey vulnerability benefiting both predators.

The American badger is normally solitary but expands its territories in the breeding season to seek out mates. Mating occurs in late summer and early fall, with some males breeding with more than one female. American badgers experience delayed implantation with gestation suspended until December or as late as February. Young are born from late March to early April in litters ranging from one to five young averaging about three. Young are born blind, furred, and helpless. Eyes open at four to six weeks. The female feeds her young solid foods prior to complete weaning and for a few weeks following weaning. Young first emerge from the den on their own at five to six weeks and dispersal is from the end of June to August.

Most female American badgers mate after they are a year old though some will ovulate four to five months. Males usually do not breed until their second year. A badger average life span is 9-
10 years.

While the American badger has few natural enemies, it is still vulnerable to other species in its habitat. Predation on American badger by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), coyotes and
bobcats (Lynx rufus) has been reported. Mountain lions (Puma concolor), according to a 2019 study, are the main predators of adult with a documented case where the badger is one of the
main prey of a radio-collared cougar.

The California Department of Fish and Game designated the American badger as a California
species of special concern.

Author: Carmel de Bertaut has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Biodiversity Stewardship and a minor in Environmental Studies. She has worked in the fields of
wildlife rehabilitation and ecological monitoring.

06/30/2024

Wildlife at Wildfarmers: California ground squirrel
The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), a member of the rodent family, is found throughout California and Oregon and into Nevada and Washington. Its body measures about 12 inches and its bushy tail measures about six. This squirrel's upper parts are mottled, with the fur containing a mixture of gray, light brown and dusky hairs. The shoulders, neck and sides are a lighter gray. The hairs around the eyes are white. The underside is lighter, buff or grayish yellow.

California ground squirrels are omnivorous. They eat seeds, nuts, fruits, bulbs, fungi, stems and leaves of grasses and forbs. They also eat some insects, bird eggs, and carrion. They forage on
the ground, and in low shrubs and trees. They also dig up plants and they store food for inactive periods.

Females are polyestrous (more than one heat cycle) and both sexes are polygamous. Mating occurs from January through July, with peak activity in March through June. Following a gestation period of about 30 days, an average of 6-7 young are born (range 3-15). Litter size is correlated inversely with latitude, which is, the more north the squirrel is found the fewer young it will produce. Females produce one litter per year, young are weaned at about 55 days and are full-grown in 7-8 months.

Cover is provided by burrows excavated in friable (crumbled) soils, often near rocky areas or under trees or logs. Burrow systems can be elaborate, with 6-20 entrances. Tunnel lengths average 35 ft and range from 3-138 ft. Home ranges usually are less than 450 ft radius around burrows. In California, home ranges of
males averaged 0.1 hectare (2.47 acre) and females averaged 0.2 hectare. They can live singly, or in small, dispersed colonies of one or more families.

In the colder parts of their range, California ground squirrels hibernate for several months but in areas where winters have no snow most squirrels are active year-round. In those parts where the
summers are hot, they might also estivate (prolonged state of torpor) for periods of a few days.

Predators include golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions and rattlesnakes. This species has several strategies for avoiding predation including employing a
sentinel squirrel who will watch for predators while others forage or move to and from burrow entrances letting out a loud squealing noises if he/she sees a predator. Any squirrel will do this if
they by chance see something. They also have several adaptations to avoid being taken by a rattlesnake. When threatened by
rattlesnakes, they hold up their large, bushy tail to wag and intimidate rattlesnakes. Since these snakes use their pit organ to detect infrared radiation this behavior imitates being a larger prey,
backing the predator down. They have also developed resistance to rattlesnake venom over thousands of years. In areas where rattlesnakes are common, squirrels exhibit high resistance to
specific snake venoms. Female squirrels with young chew on the skins shed by rattlesnakes and then lick themselves and their young (that are never resistant to venom before one month of age)
to disguise their scent.

California ground squirrels play an important role in the ecosystem they live in. They act as seed dispersals when hiding their food and then forget about it. These squirrels help soil aeration due
to their habit of digging burrows and also create habitat for other rodents, amphibians, reptiles, and burrowing owls which use them as shelters and/or nesting.

Author: Carmel de Bertaut has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in
Biodiversity Stewardship and a minor in Environmental Studies. She has worked in the fields of
wildlife rehabilitation and ecological monitoring.

04/30/2024

Wildlife at Wildfarmers: Foothill yellow-legged frog
The foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) is a small-sized (3.72–8.2 cm or 1.46–3.23 in) frog
historically found in the Coast Ranges from northern Oregon, through California, and into Baja
California as well as in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range in
California. It is a Federal Species of Concern and California State Endangered. A federal rule to
list four out of six extant distinct population segments (DPS) under the Endangered Species
Act was proposed in December 2021.
This frog has a grey, brown, or reddish the back of the frog. It is usually spotted or mottled.
Adults have yellow coloration under their legs, which might extend to their abdomens though
this coloration is faint or absent in young frogs.
A triangular, buff-colored patch is found on the snout but unlike other frogs in the genus, there is
no eye stripe. The throat and chest are often boldly mottled; and the species has
indistinct dorsolateral skin folds and granular skin. Males of this species develop nuptial pads on
their thumb bases during the breeding season. This frog can be identified by their rough skin,
horizontal pupils, fully webbed hind feet and their habit of jumping into moving water.
Tadpoles have fairly flattened tails that lack color at the end.. The mouth is made for suction to
rocks, with labial teeth rows used for scraping algae and diatoms off of the rocks to which they
are clinging.
Food affects the sexual maturity of the species. The amount of protein in different algae can
affect size at and time to metamorphosis as it effect thyroid function Food tadpoles ingest
dictates the changes in the thyroid gland& #39;s production of certain proteins. Tadpoles most
commonly feed on algae, diatoms, and detritus. As the species grows older, it changes its diet to
animal tissue which must be swallowed whole because the frog& #39;s jaw’s hinge joint does not allow
for sideways movement. Adult frogs diet included moths, ants, grasshoppers, hornets, beetles,
flies, water striders and snails.
This species begins it mating season in spring, when adult frogs congregate on sandy and/or
rocky bars to mate. Fast moving streams can dislodge egg masses from substrates so this frog
avoids rapid waters.
For the foothill yellow-legged frog, oviposition, or the depositing of eggs, is somewhat sporadic
because delays such as rains could cause problems such as unwanted removal of eggs. The males
also perform mating calls mostly underwater and those above the water are faint and hard to hear
over 50 m. Egg masses are laid about 0.5 m attached to rocks underwater in streams and rivers
with flow speeds ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 m3/second.
Egg masses can contain 100 to 1000 eggs contained in a bluish gel that disappears once the eggs
take on water, and the dark o**m, the center of egg, is covered by three jelly envelopes about
5.4 mm in diameter. Eggs hatch in about five to over thirty days depending on the temperature
that the mass is at and the surrounding water. By the time the tadpoles reach about 40 mm,
roughly 1.5 in, they are adults and their reproductive organs are mostly functional. The frogs are

usually fully developed by the summer after their first metamorphosis, though some begin
breeding after six months.
The yellow-legged frog uses a chemical defense to protect itself from fungal infections. It
secretes a peptide through the skin and the hydrophobic (water repellent) sections of the peptide
access to fungi that want to attach to the amphibian. However, current pesticide use has caused
problems for the frog. Exposure to carbaryl, a substance found in common pesticides, has been
shown to not kill the frogs but does lower the peptides& #39; abilities to defend the species against
fungi.
It is a natural prey of diving beetles, water bugs, garter snakes, rough-skinned newts, bullfrogs,
and western toads

Author: Carmel de Bertaut has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in
Biodiversity Stewardship and a minor in Environmental Studies. She has worked in the fields of
wildlife rehabilitation and ecological monitoring.

04/24/2024

Wildlife at Wildfarmers: Northern Pacific Rattlesnake

The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake is a subspecies of the Western rattlesnake. Californiaherps.com
says of the rattlesnake bite: A bite from a rattlesnake can be dangerous but rattlesnakes are not
aggressive. If given some space and enough time to escape to a safe place, they will. They will
not strike without a reason: they will strike at potential food and they will defend themselves
from anything they perceive as dangerous. They avoid striking and biting because it uses their
valuable supply of venom which they need to kill and digest their food. Rattlesnakes not need to
coil to strike.
Young are usually less dangerous than adults as they do not have as much venom. A rattlesnake
will inject less venom if it has just preyed and is still rebuilding a venom supply.
This species is found on rocky hillsides, talus slopes and outcrops, rocky stream courses, rocky
areas in grasslands, mixed woodlands, mountainous forests, pinyon juniper, sagebrush. Adults
are 15-36 inches long, sometimes up to 48 inches, with 60 inches being the longest.
Rattlesnakes are pit vipers and have with a thin neck, a large triangular head and a rattle on the
end of the tail consisting of loose interlocking hollow segments. Pupils are elliptical.
Scales are keeled. It has two pits that are used to sense heat when hunting warm-blooded
prey—one on each side of the front of the head above the mouth. The ground color is variable,
matching the environment—olive-green, gray, brown, golden, reddish brown, yellowish or tan.
Dark brown or black blotched markings, usually with dark edges and light borders, mark the
back, with corresponding blotches on the sides.
Dorsal blotches mark the front two-thirds of the body, change to dark bars on the body and dark
and light rings on the tail, which are well defined and of uniform width. The underside is pale,
sometimes weakly mottled. It usually has a light stripe extending diagonally from behind the eye
to the corner of the mouth. Young are born with a bright yellow tail with no rattle—just a single
button that does not make a sound. They grow rattles and lose the yellow color as they age. The
pattern is brighter on juveniles than on adults.
This species of rattlesnakes preys on birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, insects and small mammals,
including mice, rats, rabbits, hares and ground squirrels. Adult California Ground Squirrels are
immune to rattlesnake venom as are California kingsnakes.
The female keeps her fertilized eggs inside her body and gives birth to live young. Mating
usually occurs in the spring. Litters average four to 12 young born between August and October.
Young are born with one pre-button (rattle), which is made of keratin, replaced several days later
with a full button when the snake sheds its skin. It develops a new bottom each time it molts,
which can be several times before adulthood. When the snake shakes its tail the interlocking
hollow buttons vibrate creating the rattle sound.

Author: Carmel de Bertaut has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in
Biodiversity Stewardship and a minor in Environmental Studies. She has worked in the fields of
wildlife rehabilitation and ecological monitoring.

04/08/2024

Wildlife at Wildfarmers: California scrub-jay
The California scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica) is a corvid (crows, jays, magpies) native to western North America. It ranges from southern British Columbia throughout California and
western Nevada. Other scrub-jays are Woodhouse's scrub-jay, Island scrub-jay and Florida scrub-jay.

These birds are a medium-sized, approximately 11–12 in in length (including its tail), with a 15 in wingspan, and about 80 g (2.8 oz) in weight. Adults have a blue head, wings, and tail; a
gray-brown back; grayish underparts; and white eyebrows. Juveniles have grey heads. The throat is whitish with a blue necklace. The call or screech is harsh and loud though as songbirds they are capable of song.

They inhabit areas of low scrub, forests, oak woodland, oak savanna and edges of mixed evergreen forests. They are also found in most suburb and urban areas.
California scrub-jays usually forage in pairs, family groups, or small non-kin groups outside of
the breeding season. They feed on small animals, such as frogs, lizards, eggs and young of other
birds, insects and on grains, nuts, and berries. As birds that cache food they are important in the
growth of oak trees; frequently burying acorns they do not retrieve.
Scrub-jays like all corvids form long-term bonds (life span is around nine years) and pairs nest
low in trees or bushes, 3.3–32.8 ft above the ground. The nests are sturdy, with an outside
diameter 13–23 in, constructed on a platform of twigs with moss and dry grasses lined with roots
and hair. Four to six eggs are laid from March through July, with some regional variations. There
are two common shell color variations: pale green with irregular, olive-colored spots or
markings; and pale grayish white to green with reddish-brown spots. The female incubates the
eggs for about 16 days. The young fledge about 18 days after hatching.
Recent research shows corvids are among the most intelligent of animals. The brain-to-body
mass ratio of adults is in par with chimpanzees and whales/dolphins. Scrub-jays are also the only
non-primate or non-dolphin shown to plan ahead for the future (metacognition) Other studies
have shown that they can remember locations of over 200 food caches, as well as the food item
in each cache and its rate of decay. To protect their caches from pilfering conspecifics, scrub-jays
choose locations out of sight of their competitors, or re-cache caches once they are alone,
suggesting that they are aware and can consider the perspective of others.
Jays are able to mimic birds of prey with such accuracy that is can be difficult to distinguish
between species. Explanations for this behavior include warning other jays about the presence of
a predator or trying to deter birds from a given area. However, they also use raptor-mimicking
calls without the presence of other birds, making the precise adaptive reason for this behavior
unknown. Maybe they do it just because they can, maybe to impress a mate?

California scrub-jays also call upon others to screech over the body of a dead jay, according to
research from the University of California, Davis. The loud gatherings can last for up to half an
hour. This behavior has also been observed in magpies.
Though corvids can live relatively long live populations are being adversely affected by the West
Nile virus. Though West Nile Virus was first detected in North America since 1999 when crows
were “falling from the sky” in New York it is unclear why corvids are so susceptible to it. The
rate of corvid mortality from the diseases is far higher than any other group of birds. Their
mortality rate is close to 100%.

Author: Carmel de Bertaut has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in
Biodiversity Stewardship and a minor in Environmental Studies. She has worked in the fields of
wildlife rehabilitation and ecological monitoring.

03/13/2024

Wildlife at Wildfarmers: Mountain Lions

The mountain lion (Puma concolor), also know as cougar and puma is found throughout the Diablo and Gabilan ranges and on the San Benito County valley floors in undeveloped areas such as agricultural and grazing lands. These cats have also been spotted in housing developments that border wildland.

Males weigh from 115 to 220 pounds and have a home range of 25 to 500 square miles. Females weigh between 64 and 141 pounds with a home range from eight to 400 square miles.

Mountain lions, who have a lifespan of about 10 years, usually begin breeding at 24 months and can breed year-round, as cats are induced ovulators—meaning the act of copulation induces the release of ova in females allowing for conception. Females usually give birth every two years to one or two cubs, though it can be as high as six. Following birth, the cubs typically stay with the female for 15 months but can prolong their stay for up to 26 months.

How can you tell if a mountain lion is nearby? Cats are ambush hunters and as such are unlikely to be seen or heard. Unless a female is traveling with young they are solitary, making it harder to spot them. The two main clues to their presence are s**t and paw prints.

Mountain lion s**t usually appears as a ropey, segmented cord or a cluster of dismantled chunks. The end of the cord or one of the loose segments often shows a tail. S**t may be 5 to 9.5 inches long with a diameter of one inch or greater. It often contains bones and less often vegetation such as grass.

If you prefer not to analyze f***s but are still keen on finding signs a mountain lion might be in the area, look for paw prints according to Hansen, cat paw prints are M shaped and claw marks will not be seen. A carcass such a deer, elk, antelope or an animal of comparable size also indicates a lion is nearby. Prey will have a large wound to the neck inflicted by the cat’s canine teeth.

Should you worry about nearby mountain lions? According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mountain lion attacks are rare. They do not typically see humans as prey. Their natural prey are animals such as deer.

The department says mountain lion attacks on humans are uncommon. “Statistically speaking, a person is one thousand times more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by a mountain lion,” its website states.

Since 1890, there have been few verified mountain lion attacks on humans in California, six of them fatal. In most cases, the person was alone when attacked, the department has said. The website cites 19 attacks since March 1986.

The Mountain Lion Foundation offers these safety tips to follow in areas likely to have mountain lions.
• Be aware.
• Bring a friend.
• Wear bright and highly contrasting clothing.
• Ask park or trail personnel about recent wildlife sightings.
• Watch for signs and trail postings.
• Avoid jogging or mountain biking in low-light conditions at dusk and dawn.
• Stay on the trail and check maps frequently to avoid getting lost.
• Supervise children and keep them within arm’s reach.
• Keep pets secure on a leash.
• Do not approach any wild animal.
• Give wildlife the time and space to avoid you.
• Be vigilant if you bend over or crouch down.

The mountain lion is considered a keystone species, one which other species in an ecosystem depend on. It is also an umbrella species, one which needs such an extensive range that its conservation conserves other species.
More information from the Mountain Lion Foundation is available here: https://mountainlion.org/us/california.

Author: Carmel de Bertaut has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Biodiversity Stewardship and a minor in Environmental Studies. She has worked in the fields of wildlife rehabilitation and ecological monitoring.

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