FALL/WINTER 2014 • FLOURISH 31
to family and the ranch was strong. Over
the next four years Loren found himself
spending more and more time driving
back and forth to West Marin to help his
parents, Al and Cathie, run the ranch. It
was clear they were at a crossroads.
"I knew if we went back to the ranch,
I would want to start from scratch and
do things my way," Loren reflects. "The
business had been run the same way for
nearly 100 years, and we needed to make
significant changes to be competitive in
the current marketplace." The first step
was to get Al and Cathie's blessing along
with their willingness to step aside.
Over lunch, Loren and Lisa laid out
their proposal for taking charge of the
operation which included a complete
overhaul of the business. Luckily, his par-
ents were ready to turn over the reins.
"So often the kids grow up and move
away or the parents won't let go," says
Loren's mom Cathie. "We felt blessed that
Loren wanted to keep our family's legacy
protected and productive for future gen-
erations. Not everyone gets that."
In 2005, Loren and Lisa moved back
to Marin and settled in Novato where he
could more easily commute to the ranch
while she continued practicing law in
nearby San Rafael. Then the real work
began. Over the next four years, the
couple dove into the business and made
it their own: renaming the ranch Stemple
Creek (after the stream that runs through
the basin of the property), undergoing the
slow process of becoming organic certi-
fied, improving the genetics of the herd,
redeveloping infrastructure and water
systems, and implementing a progressive
rotational grazing system. In addition,
they shifted from conventional husbandry
to organic grass-fed and finished beef and
lamb.
Though Lisa does not share her hus-
band's "ag" upbringing, her prowess in
the legal arena and ability to see things
from a different perspective have defi-
nitely benefitted their business. "I'm more
detail oriented, while Loren has the big
picture," she laughs. "We really comple-
ment each other."
Al and Cathie Poncia.
"I knew if we went
back to the ranch,
I would want to
start from scratch
and do things
my way."
