Although most ranchers are probably not used to thinking of marketing locally, they might become interested if this seemed worthwhile. The third factor threatening the sheep industry is development. Living in Bodega for close to twenty years I have seen a substantial amount of development. The open space around Bodega is open largely because it is farm land. It may only remain as open space if agriculture is viable.
Markets are a large part of it.
We do not have to destroy the rainforest in order to grow beef for America. We could, if we want to eat meat, eat the animals raised right here, on land too steep to be used for crops. You will not find purer meat, as it is totally devoid of growth hormones or antibiotics. We do not have to make our clothing, bedding and carpets from synthetics, derived from fossil fuel. Open space could also be protected through purchasing conservation easements from willing sellers.