Episode Details

In Episode 401 of The Art Box, we welcome Jessica Schley, writer, rider, realtor, rancher, and fierce advocate for the land.

Raised on a multigenerational working cattle and horse ranch in California’s Happy Canyon, Jessica grew up steeped in old cowboy stories, ranching traditions, and a deep respect for rangelands. Her latest book, Roots & Resilience: California Ranchers in Their Own Words, brings together the voices of 17 ranchers across the Golden State, weaving stories, poems, and essays that honor both heritage and hard-earned wisdom.

Jessica joins us fresh from the 41st National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, where she debuted new work and carried forward the tradition of ranch storytelling. As a recipient of the Della Johns Scholarship, named for the Nevada ranch woman who helped found the Gathering, Jessica embodies the strong, steady voice of women whose labor and leadership sustain both family ranches and rural culture.

Beyond the page, Jessica serves on the Legacy Council for the California Rangeland Trust, advocating for collaboration between ranchers and conservationists. With a background in rangeland ecology and land conservation policy from UC Berkeley, she brings both heart and science to the conversation, championing what she calls “Carhartt Conservationism”: finding common ground to steward the land for future generations.

This episode is about roots, resilience, collaboration, and the enduring belief that ranchers are conservationists, storytellers, and essential caretakers of the American West.

Click here to learn more about Jessica: https://www.jessicateonaschley.com/