Keith Kittridge, working under the scorching rays of the afternoon sun, is out standing in his field.

Kittridge is the pasture technician who maintains the lush meadows that nourish Cal Poly Pomona's legacy: The Arabian horses. Between the citrus crops that line the pastures and the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center, 40 acres of land dedicated to the beloved herd depend on Kittridge's expertise and care.

The pastures are far larger than the average front lawn. Maintaining Cal Poly Pomona's pastures requires irrigation systems, pest control management, planning for the next season, and a time-sensitive horse grazing rotation. Summer is the busiest and most challenging season for Kittridge, requiring him to juggle duties while being vigilant about weather forecasts and pasture cycles.

A Cal Poly Pomona alumnus, Kittridge ('18, plant science) gained experience as a student worker on the agronomy team then transitioned to being a full-time staff member after graduation. President Soraya M. Coley created the pasture technician position in 2018 in the wake of a much-needed land restoration stemming from the Kellogg Drive realignment project and the construction of the new freshman residence halls.

"There were 12 acres of pastures that had become unestablished dry lots. I re-established those lots when I started," Kittridge said. "I used to take care of the pastures on that agronomy team along with other student laborers and other full-time staff members. For decades, the responsibility was on the farm team. This dates back all the way to the '70s."

There's an art to cultivating and maintaining the pastures. Kittridge works with a delicate process of making sure a pasture is revitalized after each grazing cycle. Keeping one step ahead of the horses, he prepares the next pasture before the next group of horses graze. The main challenge is keeping the rotation steady and cultivating healthy grass for the horses (an occasionally sheep and llamas) to feed.

"In the summer, my main focus is to keep the pastures hydrated, keep the irrigation going and keep the horse rotation cycles on a schedule and on track," Kittridge said. "No matter what you're doing, you're always trying to be seasons ahead, you're trying to always plan far in advance."

Kittridge holds certification as a weed control advisor and has sole authority to determine when pesticides are needed in the pastures. As an advocate for natural farming, he has been able to decrease the amount of pesticides sprayed on the land while still making sure the pasture stays healthy from potentially harmful weeds and grass species to the horses.

To keep one pasture thriving, approximately 54,000 gallons of recycled water per week are required. Kittridge uses an efficient above-ground irrigation system called Kifco water reels to manage water use. An estimated 97 percent of the irrigation on campus utilizes recycled water.

"The university practices sustainability where it can and amid another drought and new state water regulations," Kittridge said. "Cal Poly Pomona is on top of decreasing water usage for pastureland without hindering the horses' food supply."

The city of Pomona supplies recycled water through a mainline pipe that runs under the campus. Recycled water is suitable for irrigation and keeps the pastures ready for grazing. Horses and other animals healthy, however, require regular drinking water to survive.

Facilities Planning & Management is home to Kittridge's department. Teaming with Landscape Services Manager Brian Lake, the two work hand in hand on the care of the pastures.

"Keith is an extremely valuable member of FP&M's Landscape Services Department. Our department relies heavily on Keith to provide quality service to the Arabian Horse Center pastures - predominantly by himself," Lake said. "This can be a daunting task and is greatly appreciated. Keith's plant and equipment knowledge, passion, and attention to detail are also very much appreciated. CPP is very fortunate to have him as part of its family."

Although Kittridge agrees that working in close contact with the university's horses is a highlight of the job, it is the plants that make him passionate about his profession. A newly mowed pasture with that fresh grass smell, the sound of a sprinkler's "tik, tik, tik" rhythm going off in the distance and the completion of a hard day's work provides Kittridge with a sense of satisfaction.

"I'm a plant guy. I love crops. My dream would be to be a manager of a crop farm," Kittridge said. "This job was a blessing that came along. I'm trying to do my best for this school and continue the legacy of the Kelloggs."