Cities' ability to mitigate wildfire risk with goat grazing at risk

By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor, and Johnnie Piña, legislative advocate

Cal Cities and others are warning state leaders that a change to state law could force goat grazing companies out of business and jeopardize wildfire risk reduction services. Unless the Legislature acts, ranchers will need to pay herders up to $240,000 a year due to new overtime requirements, according to an estimate by the California Farm Bureau.

The letter, signed by a group of agricultural, environmental, local government, firefighting, climate, and environmental justice organizations, mirrors a letter sent by a bipartisan group of state lawmakers.

How did this happen?

For decades, California recognized that herders caring for sheep and goats should be compensated under the same minimum monthly wage structure, reflecting the unique nature of this around-the-clock occupation. While the Legislature temporarily clarified this policy in 2023, that provision expired on July 1, 2026. That same year, the Legislature also directed the Department of Industrial Relations to study the employment of sheep and goat herders.

The study, released this March, found “[Ranchers, herders, and worker advocates] agreed that the same alternative minimum monthly wage should apply to sheep and goat herders because the workers and work are similar and often overlap.”

Why this matters

Goats have become a key part of the local wildfire mitigation efforts. There is very little they won’t eat, making them perfect for clearing flammable brush from hillsides, flatlands, and other hard-to-reach terrain even during California's increasingly hot, dry summers. By acreage, targeted grazing ranks third in the state’s wildfire resilience activities.

Without legislative action, employers must compensate goat herders under California's standard hourly wage and overtime rules, dramatically increasing labor costs and placing prescribed grazing operations at serious financial risk.

Many grazing operators have indicated these costs are unsustainable and could force them to reduce or eliminate their goat herds. This would significantly reduce an important wildfire prevention resource relied upon by cities.

What can my city do?

Prescribed grazing is one of the most effective, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective fuel reduction tools. Impacted cities should contact their state senator and assembly member and urge them to restore wage parity between sheep and goat herders.

The Legislature adjourns at the end of the month, leaving a narrow window to create a legislative fix. To learn how you can make your voice heard on this critical issue, contact your regional public affairs manager or contact your state lawmakers using Cal Cities’ sample letter.