BY KATIE DONALDSON, WFA WLCC AMERICORPS FELLOW

Winding through chaparral, bushland, and grasslands—past clusters of blue oaks, foothill pines, and ancient junipers—you’ll discover Blue Oak Canyon Ranch nestled in the shadows of the Diablo Range. 

Lynn and Jim Moody, owners of the ranch, have a journey as varied as the land itself. Jim once worked in the oil fields and became a skilled clock restorer—still taking on occasional repairs. Lynn, with a deep knowledge of soil science, taught as a professor before embarking on their adventures at Blue Oak Canyon Ranch. 

The ranch spans 122 acres, with the Moodys using most of it for raising sheep and roughly 10 acres to grow olive trees, vegetables, ornamentals, and dye plants. Their vision centers on the importance of reciprocity and sustainable practices in their relationship with the land. This thought process, in turn, fosters a future where the earth flourishes in harmony with their care and stewardship. Instead of changing the land to suit their desires, they are implementing tactics to foster a deeper connection with it, focusing on sustainability, biodiversity, and nurturing the soil. 

Clockwise: Lynn feeding the sheep as dusk; A Sant Cruz Island ram; The “Jim Wheel” | Photo credits: Paige Green

Their ranch journey began about thirty years ago, when Lynn taught herself to knit. Quickly realizing it could become an expensive pursuit; she turned to a new skill—spinning—on a wheel crafted by Jim himself. Her love of animals soon led her to raise various fiber-producing creatures, which eventually led to their current flock of Santa Cruz Island sheep, a rare breed that is listed as “Critical” by the Livestock Conservancy. They saw an opportunity to address the environmental impact that humans have had on the land by raising sheep. 

Santa Cruz Island Sheep Mimic Wild Grazers 
Santa Cruz Island sheep, brought to California by the Spanish in the 1850s, now play a vital role in the state’s agriculture and ecosystems. For over a century, they roamed freely on Santa Cruz Island, evolving in isolation and developing unique traits that make them well-adapted to the land. Thriving in the West’s warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters, they mimic pronghorn antelope and tule elk grazing that likely occurred here historically. By regularly moving them in a timed way, the sheep help manage vegetation and their manure naturally enriches the soil. Lynn describes them as “alert, smart, adaptive, wary, quick, and quiet.” Their presence offers educational opportunities on conservation, history, and sustainable farming practices, reflecting the same harmony that Lynn and Jim strive to foster on their farm. 

Blue Oak Canyon Ranch pasture and foothill sightline | Photo credit: Paige Green

Blue Oak Canyon Ranch Planting 
Wild Farm Alliance and Fibershed (a non-profit dedicated to building local, regenerative fiber systems) partnered with the Moodys in January to install a hedgerow planting to enhance biodiversity on the farm. Over the course of two days, we collaboratively placed and planted vegetation as part of a shared vision for the land. The first step was mapping out over 1,800 feet of hedgerows to fill the spaces between roads and fields, herds and pathways, and fences. Nick Filannino,Wild Farm Alliance’s Technical Advisor and Ecologist, created the plant lists ahead of time based on the farm’s needs, climate, and temperament. Once at the farm, Nick, Lynn and Jim Moody, walked the land, discussing its history, current state, and the overall flow. 

WFA's Nick Filannino with a native plan | Photo credit: Paige Green


Using this understanding of Lynn and Jim’s landscape, Nick selected native plants based on size, compatibility, and restoration benefits to the land. The plants used, such as toyon, manzanita, and hummingbird sage, work together to provide benefits. Hummingbird sage attracts pollinators that benefit the toyon (which provides berries for birds) and the manzanita (which requires pollinators for its flowers). The deep roots of the toyon and manzanita help retain soil moisture, while the ground cover of hummingbird sage conserves moisture and improves the soil's overall health, benefiting all three. As Robin Wall Kimmerer states in Braiding Sweetgrass: 'Plants help each other. They form communities that are based on relationships, not competition. They share resources, support each other in times of need, and heal the land together.' Through Nick’s botany knowledge, the hedgerow plants and their placement foster not only a natural balance, reinforcing the surrounding ecosystem, but also beneficial synergies for the farm, providing natural windbreaks, water retention, and pest management. 

Jim Moody placing native plants in the hedgerow | Photo credit: Paige Green

Once the morning dew had evaporated, a team set out to begin planting. Wild Farm Alliance AmeriCorps Fellows Katie Donaldson and Rowan O’Connell-Gates joined Nick, The Moodys, Mike Conover and Navit Reid from Fibershed. The plant placements from the previous day had already been marked, and the next step was to dig precise holes to ensure proper root establishment. Spacing between the plants allowed for future growth and interaction.  

The process of planting a hedgerow (left to right; top to bottom) | Photo credit: Paige Green

After the holes were dug, they were filled to the top with water that was allowed to seep into the soil before planting, giving them a good moist start. Once the plants were settled in, pairs worked through the different sections of the hedgerow to install an efficient irrigation system. Over time, these young hedgerows will evolve, becoming a lush, dynamic tapestry that enhances the farm’s ecological health and provides a sustainable foundation for future growth, ensuring a more resilient and thriving farmland.

Lynn Moody, Jim Moody, Katie Donaldson and Rowan O’Connell-Gates (left to right) placing native plants in the hedgerow | Photo credit: Paige Green

Benefits to Ranch Operations 
For a farm like Lynn and Jim’s, native hedgerows offer a wide array of ecological, economic, and cultural benefits. By improving soil health, providing natural shelter, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting sustainable farming practices, hedgerows can help create a more resilient and productive farm environment. Additionally, they align with conservation efforts, enhancing the farm’s ecological footprint while benefiting both the sheep and the surrounding ecosystem. 

The farmers’ collaboration with Wild Farm Alliance and FiberShed goes beyond simply restoring biodiversity; it serves as a powerful example of how sustainable farming practices and conservation efforts can intersect to create a more resilient and thriving agricultural future. By installing hedgerows, Lynn and Jim are not only actively enhancing the health of the land but also demonstrating a commitment to long-term ecological balance, showing that environmental stewardship and productive farming can go hand in hand.