John Austel is a first-generation rancher and owner of 4J Horse and Livestock Co. in Southern California. He has managed the ranch with his family for over ten years, focusing on sustainable cattle grazing and land restoration. The ranch operates on a Natural Angus beef production model on what was once an agricultural site that had remained unused for more than two decades. Austel's work has been key in transforming the land into a functional grazing area while also making it a part of a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Ecological Reserve and Wildlife Area.

Austel is also known for his innovative approaches to resource management, especially in terms of water conservation. Following wildfires in the early 2000s, his ranch converted its water systems from electric wells to solar-powered pumps with the help of the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This not only reduces costs but also ensures reliable, low-maintenance water infrastructure to support both cattle and fire emergency needs. Austel’s work is centered on integrating new technologies to improve environmental stewardship while maintaining the operational efficiency of his ranch