Body of News Release
UPDATE 5/19: The Board approved the distributions.
Marin County, CA – The owners of three West Marin organic dairies are in line to split nearly $1 million designed to help them relocate their operations from the Point Reyes National Seashore to other locations in Marin and Sonoma counties.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors plans to formalize the one-time, reimbursement-based distributions from the federally funded Point Reyes Seashore Dairy Transition Assistance program during its May 19 meeting at the Marin County Civic Center. The recipients will be the Robert McLelland Dairy (L Ranch), the Spaletta Dairy (C Ranch), and the Kehoe Family Farm (J Ranch). This funding will allow three historic ranching operations to remain in Marin and Sonoma and ensure that they continue to contribute to the local milkshed.
The funding, amounting to $316,663 each, was sourced from the final 2024 federal budget by U.S. Representative Jared Huffman of San Rafael, who represents the region in Congress.
“Preserving Marin County’s rich agricultural culture has been one of my highest priorities since I was elected to Congress,” Congressman Huffman said. “It’s great to see the community project funding I secured go to these dairies from the Point Reyes National Seashore to help them remain in the North Bay.”
The $1 million in funding – minus 5% set aside for administrative costs, a federal requirement – is to be used to sustain dairy farms in the North Bay after the January 2025 settlement to voluntarily cease operations on 12 agricultural operations within the federal parkland. Although the County of Marin was not party to the settlement, it has played an active role in supporting affected businesses, workers, and residents in the transition. The Board of Supervisors enacted a shelter crisis ordinance in March 2025 to expedite support for emergency housing solutions in West Marin and has worked closely with partner organizations to deliver essential services directly to affected community members.
“On behalf of Marin County, we are deeply grateful to Congressman Huffman for securing this critical funding, which is helping three of the four dairies in active operation within Point Reyes National Seashore continue in the North Bay,” said District 4 Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, who represents constituents in that area of Marin. “This support keeps these operations in our regional milkshed, protects local jobs, and helps sustain the multi-generational ranching families who are such an important part of West Marin’s identity and agricultural heritage.”
The Point Reyes Seashore Dairy Transition Assistance program was established under the County’s June 2025 agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The agreements with the three dairies will continue through April 2028.
Marin’s Supervisors and Congressman Huffman have supported an array of efforts to support the farms and ranches of the North Coast, including assisting the workers and families affected by the January 2025 settlement. Marin economy, and the majority of the workers are of Latino heritage. Supporting economic vitality and advancing race equity are two of the Board’s top ongoing priorities. Congressman Huffman also secured $2 million to support Point Reyes Workforce Housing in the 2026 federal budget.
The May 19 Board of Supervisors meeting starts at 9 AM in the Board chamber, Suite 330, at the Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. Meetings are livestreamed on the County website and aired locally on Channel 27 for Comcast and AT&T U-Verse subscribers. Meeting participation guidelines are provided on the County website as well.