International Year of the Woman Farmer Award
On June 18th, 2026, the sisters were honored in recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer by the Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association at the Alameda County Fair Foundation’s annual Garden Party for their dedication to agriculture, innovative farming practices, food, nutrition and community leadership. The award was presented to the sisters by Christine Birdsong, Undersecretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture in addition to the Honorable Fiona Ma, Treasurer, State of California and California Grown Executive Director, Cherie Watte. The sisters felt especially privileged to have received this award, as highly distinguished woman farmers, Dr. Mary Blackburn of Hayward and Carolyn Wente of Livermore, were also recipients of the award.
Livermore Rodeo Foundation Cowgirl Honorees of the Year
At the 2025 Livermore Rodeo Cowgirl Luncheon, the three Calhoun sisters were honored with the Livermore Rodeo Foundation’s Cowgirl Honoree Award. The sisters’ achievements were highlighted in the luncheon’s pamphlet. The sisters were also asked to ride in an antique truck alongside the Livermore Rodeo Foundation in the Livermore Rodeo Parade the following day.
Fields of Gratitude: A Tribute to Local Farmers
During the 2024, 2025, and 2026 Alameda County Fair seasons, the sisters had the unique honor of being featured as one of the local agricultural groups in the fair’s “Fields of Gratitude: A Tribute to Local Farmers” campaign. The purpose of the project is to spotlight local farmers, ranchers and other agriculture professionals in Alameda County. A larger-than-life banner of the sisters was displayed prominently outside the livestock barn for the duration of the fair. The program is planned to continue through several upcoming fair seasons.
Carl Zwissig Award
On July 7th, 2024, the 3 Calhoun Sisters were presented with the Carl Zwissig Award by Brenda and Raeline Vieux. The sisters’ long-time support of and participation in the Alameda County Fair’s Junior Livestock Auction was recognized. Fellow Alameda County Rancher Tim Koopmann shared the award’s background. Don Vieux began the award many years ago to recognize Carl Zwissig’s generous support of the auction.
Founders of the ACF’s Year-Round Educational Farm
The Calhoun sisters are huge supporters of the year-round farm that the Alameda County Fair Foundation is planning to build at the Fairgrounds. The Farm will be a field trip destination for kids from all over the Bay Area and beyond. The sisters were recognized as one of the first of the “Farm Founders” to make a substantial donation towards an animal paddock. With this donation came a gate with their name on it that will be installed in one of the animal paddocks. The sisters had the opportunity to take a photo with their gate at the Fair Foundation’s Garden Party in June of 2024. A groundbreaking ceremony for the farm was held in the fall of the same year.
Women in NRCS Conservationist(s) of the Year
Unbeknownst to the 3 Calhoun Sisters, Jackie Charbonneau, our local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Ecologist, nominated them for the Women in NRCS (WiN) Conservationist of the Year Award. In August of 2023, the sisters were the award’s chosen recipients and were announced at their Annual Meeting in Iowa. The sisters insist this accomplishment would not have been possible without the hard work of our local NRCS women, Jackie, Alyson Aquino and Ling He. The following introduction was read at the presentation of this award:
The Conservationist of the Year Award is designed to recognize an outstanding woman farmer/producer/conservationist and demonstrates a vital role in supporting women in agriculture and conservation.
The 3 Calhoun Sisters own and manage a small cattle ranch east of the San Francisco Bay Area, located in Alameda County, CA. The sisters are active participants in programs through NRCS and the local Resource Conservation District. They are forward‐thinking, strong women who are working hard to demonstrate the beautiful balance of natural resource conservation and agriculture.
A main focus of the Calhoun Sisters’ efforts has been on creating and improving habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinator species on working rangeland. The sisters hosted approximately 50 wildlife professionals through a Grassland Butterfly workshop held by the SF Bay Chapter of the Wildlife Society and the Alameda County Resource Conservation District. Two weeks later they hosted a smaller workshop focused on monarch butterflies with an audience of local private landowners and ranchers.
The 3 Calhoun Sisters’ ranch has also been a demonstration site for Carbon Farm Planning. These planning efforts have resulted in implementation of compost spreading trials to enhance carbon sequestration. Their curiosity and ongoing quest to continue learning about the natural resources on their ranch is rewarding for the local NRCS and RCD Team.
Nancy, Merry, and Susie have a deep love for natural resources and agriculture. Their father was a cattle rancher with an obvious appreciation for the land and their mom was an artist, historian, and a self‐taught naturalist. Those who are lucky enough to meet these ladies and spend time with them on their ranch can see the generational spark and love for the land that shines incredibly bright. These three sisters exemplify women land managers in agriculture and natural resources management.
For your efforts, we have awarded you the beautiful Blue Rain Drop Art Glass award as well as a one‐year membership to WiN for free! Congratulations Nancy, Merry, and Susie!
