During the Irvine Ranch and UCI Farm School eras, the use of animals

played a significant role in agricultural and educational practices.

Ranching activities were prominent, involving cattle grazing, goats, and

chickens. On old site maps and satellite photographs as shown in the

archaeological records, the organization of spaces and facilities dedicated

to different types of livestock are revealed. Cattle grazing not only

contributed to the ranching operations but also played a role in

sustainable land management. Goats were likely employed for vegetation

control, leveraging their natural grazing behaviors to maintain the

ecological balance of the land. Chickens, in addition to serving as a

source of eggs and poultry, may have played a role in pest control and

soil fertilization. 

Excavations have even uncovered what appears to be the burial of a class pet!