Sometimes, living off the land isn’t just about the soil beneath our feet — it’s about the people who stand beside us when life takes an unexpected turn. Recently, my horse Gus had an emergency surgery after puncturing his hind leg hock joint. It was a frightening and humbling experience. In that moment of uncertainty, the Padilla family — Kay, her daughter Mel, and her son Chris — became our lifeline.

From Friendship to Lifeline

I first met Chris at a real estate gathering. He introduced himself as a lender specializing in country property and raw land — right up my alley. Our conversation quickly turned to family, and I learned that his mom and sister trained and boarded cutting horses and thoroughbreds on their farm. From there, a friendship blossomed.

A Family Farm That Keeps Evolving

The Padillas are the kind of people who make the rural world go ’round. Their family farm has evolved over the years from a traditional horse boarding operation into something much more diverse. Kay and her husband originally purchased the property and started boarding horses while growing alfalfa and grass hay on part of the acreage. What began as a side venture eventually grew into a full-scale “Care and Custody” boarding facility for thoroughbred horses — allowing Kay to leave her 9-5 job and dedicate herself to the work she loved.

Over time, their vision expanded beyond horses. Today, their property tells the story of what it means for Northern California landowners to adapt — transforming a single-use operation into a diversified farm that reflects both economic realities and personal values.

Adapting to the Land — and the Times

In recent years, they’ve shifted the alfalfa and grass hay acreage to almond and olive orchards, which they sharecrop with other local farmers. And most recently, as Kay and her husband have become more involved with their church, they’ve transitioned away from the boarding facility entirely and moved into raising cattle — specifically beefalo. When I asked Kay “what the heck is a beefalo?!” she really went into it. A beefalo, by definition, is a cow that’s 37.5% buffalo, achieved through a series of cross-breeding. Kay explained that beefalo meat is leaner and lower in cholesterol than chicken and fish, yet has all the beneficial attributes and taste of beef.

The Padillas’ evolution — from equestrian boarding to crop cultivation to cattle ranching — captures the core of rural living in Northern California. Their story is one of resilience, innovation, and smart land stewardship — showing how families can evolve with the market while staying rooted in purpose.

Courage in Crisis: Serving Their Community

Kay and Mel have long been trusted names among equine ranches throughout Northern California — and the numbers tell the story. During the devastating LNU Complex fire, they rescued over 80 horses and boarded many of them — some for just a week, others for as long as a month while owners rebuilt their fences. In more recent years, they’ve assisted in rescuing and caring for 30–50 horses during various wildfires, providing feed and board when families needed it most. Kay has also helped many people, including me, transport horses to medical appointments at the nearby UC Davis Large Animal Hospital — a lifeline for anyone with a beloved animal in crisis.

When Gus came home from surgery, Kay and Mel showed up with knowledge, grit, and compassion. They somehow managed to get 40 pills down his throat — twice a day — using a syringe and a few clever tricks I’ll never forget. Their calm confidence and years of hands-on experience turned an overwhelming situation into something manageable. Gus began to heal, and I began to breathe again.

Today, Kay has shifted from training thoroughbreds to spending six months a year working at a regional youth church camp — passing on her sense of stewardship and care to a younger generation. Mel continues to train cutting horses on a case-by-case basis, always balancing heart, patience, and precision.

3 Lessons from the Padillas on Living Off the Land

1. Start Small — Don’t Quit Your Day Job Yet

Don’t leave your 9-5 job until you’ve actually experienced farm life. It’s not an easy life, nor is it for the faint of heart. Living off the land is a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year job. Kay and her husband grew their operation gradually, building experience and infrastructure before making the leap to full-time farm life.

For aspiring landowners or anyone considering a rural lifestyle, this approach builds not only financial stability but also the skills needed to sustain a working property long-term.

2. Use Your Imagination

You can do so much with even a small parcel of land. The Padillas have transformed their property multiple times — from hay fields to horse boarding to orchards to beefalo ranching. Adaptability and creativity are just as important as hard work.

Every acre holds potential if you’re willing to reimagine its use. The Padillas’ diversified land operation shows that successful ownership often comes down to vision, not just volume.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help — and Be a Good Neighbor

There are really good neighbors who want to help when they can. The rural community runs on reciprocity and trust. When wildfires threatened, the Padillas opened their gates. When Gus needed care, they showed up at my door.

The foundation of rural living is community. True land stewardship extends beyond property lines — it’s about caring for the people, animals, and environment that make rural life possible.

A Lasting Legacy of Stewardship

The Padilla family embodies what it truly means to live off the land — to live in service to others, to nurture life in all its forms, and to show up when it matters most. Their story is a testament to what defines great landowners everywhere: adaptability, care, and a deep respect for the land that sustains us all.