She also warned Marlene against treating cactus as a magical solution to drought.
"Animals can't live on green pads alone," Rosa explained. "They still need a balanced ration. And the spines have to be handled properly before cactus is offered as feed."
Marlene listened carefully.
Rosa continued.
"Your father was interested in cactus because it could help keep a ranch alive through hard years. That's different from believing it can replace every other crop or every other source of feed."
Marlene nodded.
That distinction mattered.
Curtis hadn't written that cactus would solve every problem.
He'd written that it might give the land another way to produce when grass failed.
Before leaving, Marlene purchased a small supply of healthy planting pads from Rosa's nursery and arranged to return for help establishing the first test plot.
Rosa looked at her.
"How much land are you planning to start with?"
Marlene opened the notebook.
"Twenty acres."
The older woman smiled.
"Good."
Marlene looked surprised.
"That's enough?"
"It's enough to learn whether your plan works before you risk more."
Marlene looked toward the distant hills.
Then she smiled faintly.
"That's exactly what Dad wrote."
Rosa nodded.
"He learned more than he had time to use."
The next stop was the county agricultural extension office.
Dr. Elena Ruiz, a young agricultural specialist who worked with local producers on soils and water management, listened carefully while Marlene explained the project. She reviewed the notebook, studied the old survey map, and asked questions about soil depth, slope, existing drainage patterns, and the condition of the ranch after heavy rainfall. Rather than dismissing the idea, she suggested beginning with soil tests and a detailed walk of the proposed planting areas.
Marlene was relieved.
She'd expected another lecture about abandoning the ranch.
Instead, Elena asked whether Curtis had recorded enough rainfall observations to compare conditions over several dry and wet years.
Marlene placed the notebook on her desk.
"Twenty years."
Elena began turning pages.
After several minutes, she looked up.
"Your father was remarkably thorough."
Marlene smiled.
"He could make a grocery list sound like a scientific report."
Elena laughed.
Then she became serious.
"These observations are valuable, but we'll need to verify conditions in the field. The soil varies across your property, and what works in one part may fail in another."
Marlene nodded.
"I'm prepared for that."
Elena studied her.
"Are you trying to grow cactus primarily for produce or livestock forage?"
Marlene hesitated.
"Eventually both, if the land supports it."
The agricultural specialist nodded.
"Then you need to consider different harvest requirements, handling equipment, market demand, and long-term soil protection."