Nicole Nicholson grew up on the central coast of California in a six-generation cattle ranching family. The business began when her relatives, the Warren's, established themselves in the Cambria and San Simeon areas during the 19th century. Over time, the family’s operations expanded to Cayucos and then Morro Bay after her grandmother, Myrtle Warren Nicholson married her grandfather, William H. Nicholson. Nicole’s father Bill Nicholson has been a life-long rancher and steward of the land with her mother, Tracy, a cattlewoman and rancher herself for over 40 years. The Nicholson's have certified Red Angus commercial cow-calf and grass-fed and finished operations.

From a very young age, Nicole was involved in every aspect of the cattle ranching business. She was active showing horses and cattle in both 4-H and FFA throughout her school years. After graduating from Morro Bay High School, Nicole acquired her B.S. degree in Animal Science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. There she was active in Poly’s beef enterprise projects with specialties in production, reproductive physiology, and animal genetics. Toward the end of her program, Nicole earned her education specialist teaching credential, and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with emphases in science and statistics. She then attended the University of Southern California where she completed her doctoral degree in educational psychology. After graduation, Nicole returned to the area to teach at the college level and opened a private practice that provides support for individuals with learning and language differences, Dr. Nicole Nicholson Educational Therapy and Educational Psychology.

Nicole has been a member of San Luis Obispo County Cattlewomen for over 13 years. Starting at the age of 12, Nicole would attend local and state Cattlewomen events with her mother, Tracy. Working so closely with her mom who was the 2021 S.L.O. CattleWoman of the Year has been both a highlight and true blessing.

Nicole is proudly finishing up her term as S.L.O. County Cattlewomen president where she has created community-based beef promotion campaigns designed to help fight food insecurity, provide assistance to local students, veterans, and seniors, while demonstrating support for first responders. She has also assisted with fundraising efforts on behalf of the unit that have awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to S.L.O. County students.

Nicole resides on the family ranch in Cayucos with her husband Tom Stainner, who is a commercial pilot for Delta Airlines. In addition to working alongside her parents, Bill and Tracy, the family business is operated collaboratively with her brother Chad Nicholson, his wife Christine, their daughters Caylee and Camryn, her brother Clint Nicholson, his wife Brie, and sons, Case and Ford. Commitment to family, values, the land, and tradition are everything to Nicole. Her favorite quote is by the famous Lakota leader, Sitting Bull because of how well it summarizes her love of agriculture and our youth. “Let us put our minds together to see what life we can make for our children.”

Past Cattlewoman of the Year