Sacramento, Calif. (September 2, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) issued a statement applauding the inclusion of language in the state budget which restores wage parity between sheep and goat herders through January 1, 2029. Senator Hurtado’s leadership protects an industry which is increasingly relied upon to reduce wildfire fuels and safeguard communities across California.

The agreement follows a sustained effort by Hurtado and a bipartisan coalition of 31 legislators who called on state leadership to address the disparity after previous protections expired July 1.

A state-commissioned study conducted with UC Davis researchers reinforced the need for parity, finding that sheep and goat herders perform substantially similar work, and share many of the same responsibilities. The research also highlighted the difficulty of maintaining separate wage structures for work that frequently overlaps.

Senator Hurtado issued the following statement:

“I am proud to have led the effort to restore wage parity at a time when California is investing heavily in wildfire resilience. The state could not afford to sideline prescribed grazing over an unnecessary pay disparity between workers performing essentially the same job.

I refused to stand by while grazing operators go out of business, workers lose their livelihoods, and communities face greater wildfire risk.

I am grateful to the work of the coalition of legislators who joined this effort and helped make clear that this issue reaches far beyond any one region or industry. The agreement reached provides an important line of defense against catastrophic wildfire across our state. 

Valley families are facing a difficult economy. Costs are rising, small businesses are struggling, and workers are worried about their jobs. This funding is giving businesses critical breathing room.” 

Hurtado added that she will continue to fight for a permanent solution to this issue.

“Last year, I secured $2 million for Kern County to keep sheep and goat herders at work—because we know this approach works. 

But our work is not finished. We need a permanent solution that protects good-paying jobs, supports small businesses, and keeps our communities safe. I will continue to fight to ensure that happens.” 

What Leading Voices Are Saying

The effort to restore wage parity has drawn support from firefighters, community leaders, agricultural groups, , labor representatives and other stakeholders. Here are what leaders are saying:

Shannon Douglass, California Farm Bureau: “We’re grateful for Senator Hurtado’s leadership to secure changes allowing sheep and goats to continue being used as wildfire fuel control. When it comes to wildfire prevention for all Californians, every tool matters. Sheep and Goats help get the job done.”

California Wool Growers Association: "The California Wool Growers Association wants to thank Senator Hurtado for helping secure temporary wage parity for sheep and goat herders. We also appreciate her continued efforts to find long-term solutions to the issues threatening sheep and goat grazers in California."

John Chamberlin, Fire Chief, Kings County Fire Department: “The use of Bovidae animals, such as goats or sheep have become an extremely viable component of the fuels reduction sequence…They have become a necessity for many fuels reduction plans. In Kings County, they are commonly used in the Solar Array’s to keep grass and weeds to an acceptable length.”

Catherine Van Dyke, Director of Water Policy, Community Alliance with Family Farmers: “Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is grateful to Senator Hurtado for making progress on the important issue of wage parity for sheep and goat herders in California. Continued sheep and goat production in our state requires awareness that this type of livestock production is different from other forms of agricultural work…Allowing goat herders to share the same alternative minimum wage structure as sheep herders is critical for both herders and small and mid-size livestock businesses. 

Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas): “Goat herding as a wildfire mitigation tool in California has been saved, for now. A recently expired law reclassified goat herder wages and nearly forced the slaughter of goats or pushed the industry out of state completely.  We fought to add language to this year’s state budget to put this reclassification on hold for another two years and continue to treat them, and pay them, the same way sheep herders are. This industry is important to California’s economy and especially important to reduce the risk of wildfires by removing vegetation that is potential fuel for fire in and around rural and suburban communities. That’s why it’s essential to ensure the goat herding industry can continue to thrive. The Legislature needs to revisit this issue and come up with a better long-term solution.“

Senator Melissa Hurtado is Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration and General Government and currently represents the 16th Senate District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties.

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