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Lake County supervisors vote 5-0 to ask state for sheep–goat herder wage parity
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a letter asking Governor Newsom and state legislative leaders to fix a recent rule that board members and local herders say creates a large pay disparity between sheep and goat herders and risks closing goat-herding operations used for wildfire fuel reduction.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a letter asking California leaders to restore wage parity between sheep and goat herders, after residents and agricultural stakeholders warned a recent rule change could force local goat-herding businesses to close.
Supervisor Owen asked that the letter be addressed to Governor Newsom and leaders of the California Legislature (with an honorable mention for Speaker Rivas) and said the drafting changes should highlight both wildfire-safety impacts and loss of local jobs. Serena Nate of the Lake County Farm Bureau told the board that "the goat herding businesses are now required to pay their herders $240,000 a year for the same services that sheep herders are providing," arguing that the cost would remove goat grazing as a tool for fuel management.
The board moved to approve the letter as amended and carried the motion 5-0. Chair closed public comment and, after the vote, stated, "Hearing none, that carries 5 0." The approved letter will be sent to state leaders; the record does not specify a date for mailing or further board follow-up.
