Iona

Iona is a Scottish Highland cattle breeder in Nicasio, CA, Marin County and San Francisco Bay Area near San Francisco. Founded by Leslie Gompertz, the farm has raised Scottish Highland cattle for over a decade under American Highland Cattle Association (AHCA) guidelines and conducts annual health screening for breeding stock. Cattle graze on managed grass pastures, retreating to insulated shelter barns when needed, and calves receive daily handling from weaning to strengthen social bonds. Shelters are cleaned daily and herds receive forage-based rations supplemented with minerals to meet breed-specific needs.

The operation supports conservation grazing initiatives and participates in regional agricultural shows to share knowledge about hardy heritage cattle. Pedigrees are documented through AHCA records, and buyers receive detailed health histories. The breeder shares resources on pasture planning and herd management to support newcomers in sustainable small-scale beef production. With a focus on low-impact farming, Iona integrates rotational grazing practices to maintain soil health across its rolling ranchland.