In Santa Barbara County, California, land management isn’t easy. The terrain is steep, and while fire risk is already high, fast-spreading invasive plants are making the problem worse by fueling fast-growing underbrush. Many parts of the landscape are too rugged for traditional fencing or livestock rotation, leaving valuable acreage underused and vulnerable.
One local rancher is taking a new approach to the challenges facing Santa Barbara County. Stephanie Mathis found a forward-thinking solution on her family’s 14,000-acre ranch, incorporating goats for regenerative grazing. Using Nofence’s virtual fencing, she was able to breathe new life into land once considered unmanageable.
Stephanie’s system supports both ecological health and wildfire prevention: her goats’ grazing removes invasive weeds and fire-prone undergrowth, while managed rotation improves soil structure and plant diversity. Moreover, goats are able to navigate steep or uneven ground, allowing them to access and improve areas that are often off-limits to machinery or larger livestock.
The benefits were clear to Stephanie, but turning it into reality wasn’t easy. “For years, I dreamed of using goats to transform our land, but the challenges of fencing this terrain seemed insurmountable,” Stephanie explains. “With Nofence, we’ve made it happen.”
From wildfire risk to regenerative grazing
Dense vegetation and rugged ridgelines once made large portions of Stephanie’s land difficult to access. But with her goats now grazing targeted areas, the story is starting to change.
“Our forests were at high risk of burning. Now my goats are clearing fire hazards and rehabilitating land we couldn’t use before,” Stephanie explains.
Rather than relying on physical fences, she uses Nofence collars to guide her herd across the overgrown landscape. This allows her to rotate grazing areas more easily, protect sensitive vegetation, and address wildfire fuel loads—all without installing a single post. Moreover, Nofence technology has lowered costs for Stephanie, from reducing labor costs and feeding to widening grazing seasons.
Reimagining the ranch: A new system for goats and cattle
Stephanie doesn’t see the use of Nofence’s virtual fencing as a one-time project for just her goats—she sees it as the future of her ranch. While her husband runs the cattle side of their operation, she’s focused on building a grazing system that combines goats and cattle in a coordinated cycle.
Her long-term vision? A synergistic, multi-species grazing system where goats and cattle work in tandem. “Goats are perfect for clearing brush and opening up land, and cattle can come in afterward to graze the grass. Together, they’re a powerful team for land restoration,” she says.
With virtual fencing, she believes it’s possible to tailor grazing patterns more precisely and efficiently across the ranch. The technology can help achieve her goal in improving pasture health, reducing overgrazing, and making better use of every acre. Nofence technology can enhance animal welfare and help with early issue health detection.
“The idea of managing both goats and cattle with virtual fencing is exciting. It opens up new ways to protect the land while improving productivity,” she adds.
Tech that’s surprisingly simple
Virtual fencing works with just a collar and an app—no wires, no digging, no hassle. Stephanie says the ease of Nofence’s product is what makes it a game-changer. “I’m not very tech-savvy, but the Nofence app is so intuitive. It makes managing my goats simple, even on steep hillsides and dense brush,” she says. “With just a few taps on my phone, I can set up pastures and monitor my goats anywhere.”
Nofence technology delivers flexibility and efficiency in livestock management, using GPS that communicates with the Nofence app through cellular networks—which does not require the installation of a base station. With the touch of a fingertip, users can give their animals access to new pastures and track the real-time movements of their herd. With collars reporting new data to the app every 15 minutes, farmers using Nofence say the app gives them peace of mind, providing real-time updates about an animal’s location around the clock.
What started as her personal project has turned into a family effort thanks to its simplicity. Her teenage sons and husband are now part of the effort, and the app makes it easy for everyone to stay involved. It’s a practical, hands-on solution that works for full-time ranchers and part-time hobby farmers alike.
Looking ahead: Agritourism and community
Stephanie is taking her virtual fencing experience beyond just grazing. She’s planning to expand her herd and use her operation as a platform for education and agritourism. That means welcoming visitors to the ranch, offering school programs, and showing firsthand how grazing animals and smart technology can help restore the land.
“I want to grow my herd and show how sustainable grazing can protect our land and communities,” she says.
She’s also exploring partnerships with high-end restaurants to market sustainably raised goat meat, creating an added revenue stream that supports both her business and her mission.
“This is the future of farming,” she says. “Nofence is helping us innovate and adapt in ways I never thought possible.”
Want to see what virtual fencing can do for your land? Visit Nofence.no/us for more information on Nofence’s virtual fencing product, to read Stephanie’s full story, and to explore how land managers are turning tough terrain into productive pasture.
