Jim Smith, Siskiyou County’s Agricultural Commissioner since 2015, comes from a long line of farmers with roots in the Chico area. Growing up in Tulelake, he pursued higher education in agriculture, earning his bachelor’s degree from Chico State and later his master’s degree. He worked as an ag consultant for two decades before transitioning to teaching in various schools.
Smith’s role as commissioner encompasses diverse responsibilities, including animal control, air pollution management,and weights and measures. His overarching goal is to leave the county’s agricultural sector in a better state than he found it.
In recent years, Smith has taken interest in William E. Simpson II’s research on the environmental benefits of horses, specifically their potential for wildfire fuel management through grazing. Recognizing the value of this research and the unique role of horses in the local ecosystem, Smith formally recognized Simpson’s nonprofit, Wild Horse Fire Brigade, as the legal owner of a heritage herd of horses northeast of Hornbrook in 2022. This designation reclassified the horses as livestock, providing them with legal protection.
On June 10th, Smith visited Wild Horse Ranch to meet with students from California State University, Sacramento who were conducting field research with the horses. During the visit, he emphasized the expanding career opportunities for environmental science graduates in the agricultural sector, even within his own department. This visit highlighted the growing intersection between environmental science, animal husbandry, and wildfire management.
I hate that they’re being called “livestock”. These are wild mustangs who belong all over our public lands to live out their lives in peace with their families. I love that you’re educating the next generation about the value of these magnificent animals!
Bravo to Jim Smith! Thank you for recognizing William Smith’s 11 research on the benefits of keeping wild horses for a fire brigade.
I pray this study will allow lightness in all the darkness
Maybe more AG commisioners and college students can come out and support the grazing of wild horses is much needed for our lands. Maybe them the BLM would be open to listen and ACTUALLY MANAGE the horses in a humane way. Maybe our govt would step in and tell the BLM enough is enough with their barbaric roundups and prisons. The west is already burning up. Wild horses and burros are more important than just to make money off of and line corrupt pockets. West Virginia Wild Horse Advocate