The terrain here supports ecologically complex systems, enhanced through responsible management techniques and low-impact production methods. We’ve developed an increasingly sustainable relationship with the land, using goats as the basis of a dairy operation that maintains continuity with the ranch’s agricultural history, including more than 150 years of dairy and beef cattle grazing. By excluding cattle from our land since 2008, we have witnessed the regeneration of an intact ecosystem.
Our efforts also include regeneration of approximately 80 acres of wetland. After documenting the erosion and loss of living wetland, we are thrilled that Western Pond Turtles returned with the renewal of our perennial waterway. Using an Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board grant to monitor wetland regeneration and water quality, we also conducted bird and rare plant surveys. Willow-Witt Ranch was named a “Watershed Friendly Steward” in 2009.
Our holistically managed forest is a thriving educational model of forest diversity, fire resilience and sustainable harvest management.
The conifer woodlands were badly overstocked in 1985 with diseased trees from past logging practices. We have gradually thinned the monoculture white fir forests and successfully planted more than 7,000 seedlings of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, incense cedar and sugar pine to approximate the original diversity. Selectively harvesting sick and dying trees, we were honored in 2007 as Jackson County Tree Farmers of the Year.
Ranch & Farm History
Euro-Americans began to work this land starting around 1850, leaving behind an old barn with mortise and tenon joinery, cedar shake roof and hand-hewn beams; an addition had square nails. These ruins can be visited on one of the hiking trails we have developed on the Ranch.
The area where we live and farm was developed in the 1920s. We have restored the original barn and farmhouse. We built an additional timber-framed barn, which is used as a classroom or sheltered gathering place.
History of this Land
Native people gathered here in summertime, utilizing the land’s freshwater lakes and marshes, as early as 10,000 to 8,000 years ago. These are now the seasonal wetlands and subalpine meadows at the center of the ranch.
At almost 5,000 feet elevation, the valley resulted from volcanic eruptions in the Southern Cascades, followed by landslides. Rich volcanic soils grew thick conifer forests home to diverse plant and animal life.
Fracture lines in the volcanic rock surrounding the valley developed into 10 to 12 distinct springs forming two headwaters that eventually reach Bear Creek.