By Dayna Ghirardelli, Executive Director
It has been nine months since the announcement of The Nature Conservancy’s settlement agreement with 11 ranching families (12 ranching operations) in the Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS). There has been an outpouring of emotions since that announcement, most of which encompass the cry of losing multi-generational dairy and beef operations. This is a loss to the critical infrastructure of local food production, jobs, housing, land stewardship, and economic contributions.
After the announcement, people from near and far gathered to support the ranching families, demanding answers to what seemed to be a non-transparent transaction, riddled with gag orders that prevented these ranchers from seeking help during this tumultuous time. Sadly, this settlement was not the result of a short-term conversation or negotiation. These ranchers have been battling dissenting environmental groups for several decades.
There was a time when County Supervisors and even Congressman Huffman went to bat for these ranchers to save not only their multi-generational businesses but also their homes and way of life, which was presumed to stand the test of time based on the original purchase agreement made by the federal government. After decades of battles, lawsuits, some small wins but mostly challenges, these ranchers saw the writing on the wall and made the decision they thought was in their best interest. This does not mean they liked it, or didn’t feel loss or defeat, but it was the decision made after many sleepless nights and consideration of the long-term odds. Not taken lightly, I’m sure this decision was made in part to keep their sanity and, perhaps, walk away with something versus nothing at all.
It feels like yet another attack on farmers, ranchers, and food production in California and the U.S. It has become all too common and is a battle that is constantly being fought. And while this in and of itself is a hard pill to swallow, the true reality of the end of this era struck me to my core while driving out to the Kehoe Dairy on August 23rd to celebrate the family’s legacy and to bid farewell to the very land that built generations of families.
The Kehoe Family hosted a gathering to honor their legacy on Pierce Point Road. I was honored to join in this celebration among their many friends, family members, and neighbors. Many familiar faces were there, some from my past and some from my present. To a certain degree, it was like old home week, visiting with schoolmates and their parents. I spent some time on the Seashore during my childhood, so Point Reyes offers a bit of nostalgia for me. In my adult years, I’ve spent time working with all the dairy producers at some point, but most recently and familiarly with McClure’s and Kehoe’s – two of the original dairies to ship directly to Clover.
On the drive out, I had already felt a sense of loss, considering the underlying reason the event was even happening. We veered right onto Pierce Point Road. As we came up on the McClure’s, it was a bit of a gut punch. The freestall barns were gone, and it just seemed so bare. Reality set in quickly, as did disgust! The front pasture, which was always healthily managed, had already shown signs of neglect. Likely the beginning of what this previously pristine dairy (and the rest of the PRNS) will look like without proper land management by the very people who have stewarded the land for generations.
It is easy to be angered and frustrated by the impending change. Fewer animals, no ranches, lack of proper management, but what is not discussed is the loss of what they’ve always known.
On behalf of the entire Kehoe family, Tim, Tom, and Mike, stood before their guests, over 200 people, to thank them for the memories. To thank the many partners and providers who served their business over the years, from hay haulers to supply vendors, to mechanics, to field representatives, all of whom have become lifelong friends. They thanked their family and friends for their support, and, of course, their neighbors for the lifelong friendships they had shared. They thanked their employees, who are also affected. They are a part of their family! Three of their employees worked and lived there for more than 20 years, sending their kids to local schools and then to college. Now, their kids are back, giving to the community they grew up in.
During this time, through tear-filled eyes, I looked around at all the people and became overwhelmed with sadness. Sad for the change in lifestyle that all these families have always known together. It was mentioned that after all these decades, this event could be the last time these families were all together. That is a huge revelation when you think of the generations growing up together. The endless carpools. Rushing to each other’s aid when help was needed, no questions asked. Taking the kids trick or treating on Halloween by starting on one end of the point and ending at the Kehoe house to spend the rest of the evening together. All the families out there have gotten along all these years. No drama. No fights. Just a unified community of hardworking, salt-of-the-earth people.
No doubt there are stories to be told for ages, and some stories that can’t (or shouldn’t) be told at all. In any case, their life stories and memories will now live on in time, and new memories in new places will take hold.
After Tim, Tom, and Mike spoke, their dearest friend and lifelong neighbor Bob McClure came forward. Over the years, Bob has shared some of his irreplaceable stories with “the brothers,” and they never lacked entertainment or humor!
Bob stood before all of us, and, among a few things, he said two statements that lightened my sadness and had me put this in a different perspective.
The first was “This has given us a chance to do something else.”
The second and most poignant was “We’re going to be okay.”
Best wishes to all the Point Reyes National Seashore Families in their next chapter!
