Dear HCN, Ed Quillen's essay rings a bell here in our Carson Valley (HCN, 4/1/02: The 'Niche West' reconnects us to the land). We have a thriving native seed company, and during the last two years we have discovered native crops on several of the valley ranches. The development pressure has been enticing local ranchers to sell out to high-density development, and I'm happy that there is a progressive master plan slowing the pace of development.ÊWe hope that the discovery of these native species will tease some of our ranchers into realizing a new value in their ranches, besides the pittance that they are paid for hay and grazing leases.


Ed Kleiner
Comstock Seed Co.
Gardnerville, Nevada