Deadline nears for closure of Point Reyes National Seashore ranches and dairies

"A group of ranches and dairies in the Point Reyes National Seashore has about two months left to close down under an agreement with the Nature Conservancy. The federal park announced on Jan. 8, 2025, that six dairies and six beef ranches operating there would cease operations within 15 months following a confidential legal settlement with environmental organizations that had long sought to ban agricultural uses of the park."

"There are still people living at Point Reyes National Seashore: farmworker and tenant households have until the end of February to move off and receive payment via TNC's Transition Support Plan. The Nature Conservancy has committed to paying every household being displaced from the federal park the equivalent of 18 months of fair market rent. In practice, that amounts to between $70,000 and $100,000 per household. Cardozo said 24 households have received 10% advance payments, while nine have moved and received full payments."

A group of six dairies and six beef ranches at Point Reyes National Seashore must end operations under a Nature Conservancy agreement tied to a confidential legal settlement. Two beef ranches (G Ranch and F Ranch) and one dairy (I Ranch) have already closed and been paid. All milking operations have ceased while some beef and non-lactating dairy cattle remain grazing. Ranching families have until early April to wind down. Farmworker and tenant households must leave by the end of February to qualify for TNC's Transition Support Plan, which provides about 18 months of fair market rent (roughly $70,000–$100,000); 24 households received 10% advances and nine have moved and received full payments.

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