Stemple Creek Ranch is a three-time finalist and 2025 Winner of the prestigious California Leopold Conservation Award. This award honors exceptional land stewardship and conservation efforts among farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners. The Poncias were acknowledged for their dedication to building soil health, providing wildlife habitat, and implementing regenerative agricultural practices on their ranch near Tomales, California.

Stemple Creek Ranch’s Home Ranch in Tomales, CA is Audubon Certified as Grazed on Bird Friendly Land, recognizing livestock practices that enhance ecosystems and wildlife habitat.

Portions of our pastures and cattle operation have been certified organic by Marin Organic Certified Agriculture (MOCA) since 2008. In 2025 SCR started earning certificate through CCOF. During our annual renewal we demonstrate that we follow the USDA standards on what it means to be organic with great practices in animal welfare and environmental stewardship as well as the absence of synthetic inputs.

In 2002 Loren’s father, Al Poncia, received the NRCS Excellence in Conservation Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is the highest award granted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to honor outstanding conservation work.

In 2013 Loren Poncia received the J.W. Jamison Perpetual Trophy at the Sonoma County Fair, naming him Outstanding North Bay Rancher of the Year.

Loren's father, Al Poncia, received the Marin County Farm Bureau's Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of over 50 years of service to local agriculture and conservation in West Marin.

Portions of our pastures and cattle operation have been certified organic by Marin Organic Certified Agriculture (MOCA) since 2008.

We participate in the Grown Local Marin County and Go Local Sonoma County initiatives, supporting locally grown and raised agricultural products.

We depend on grass for our livelihood, but soil is the true foundation of our business. Without healthy soil, the natural forage that feeds our livestock would be non-existent.

In 2013, Stemple Creek Ranch was selected as one of three test cases for a 10-year study with the innovative Marin Carbon Project. After completing an initial soil assessment, organic compost was spread over a portion of our pastureland to help sequester the carbon in the soil. This beneficial practice helps retain moisture and nutrients that improve the growth of our natural forage. Our livestock support the process by leaving natural fertilizer behind while grazing in the fields.

We are excited to be on the forefront of this ground-breaking research that is showing how best regenerative agriculture practices can harness atmospheric carbon to improve soil content on farms, and mitigate the effects of global warming.