Cutting Red Tape for Ranchers — A Win for Common Sense

Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our economy—they provide jobs, contribute significantly to the region’s economy, they put food on our tables, and they deserve our full support. I’m proud to report the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed my proposal to cut red tape and support responsible ranching across San Diego County.

For too long, outdated regulations have punished sustainable land stewards with unnecessary permits and delays. That ends now.

Modern ranchers are rotating herds, protecting ecosystems, and even helping prevent wildfires through smart grazing practices. It’s time our county policies reflect that.

With this vote, we’ve kickstarted a process to:

• Exempt sustainable cattle grazing from unnecessary grading and clearing permits

• Expand ranching on county-owned land

• Bring together ranchers, fire officials, and environmental groups to develop real, practical solutions

Let’s reward conservation—not punish it with bureaucracy. This is a major step toward restoring local agriculture and strengthening our farmers.

I’ll keep fighting to make sure our ranchers aren’t pushed out by red tape, and that San Diego remains a place where responsible land management is encouraged—not penalized.

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond | May 23, 2025

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