Organic Dairies Seek Lifeline at Point Reyes National Seashore

Proposal calls for demonstration farms to sustain local food production and rural livelihoods

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:08am

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A photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a glass milk bottle, a wedge of artisanal cheese, and a handful of fresh wildflowers arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the importance of organic dairy farming to local food security and rural livelihoods.A still-life tableau celebrating the connection between organic dairy farming and the vibrant local food system it sustains.Petaluma Today

A proposal has been submitted to the Interior Department to establish four organic, regenerative dairy demonstration farms on roughly 6,000 acres at Point Reyes National Seashore. The goal is to save small, multigenerational organic dairy farms in the region that are at risk of closure, which would remove not just cows from pastures but families from the land and resilient food infrastructure from local communities.

Why it matters

Organic dairy farms are cornerstones of a functional local food system, producing nutrient-dense food close to home, providing year-round employment, and stewarding grasslands that store carbon, protect watersheds, and support wildlife. When these farms disappear, they are rarely replaced by anything better for the climate, food security, or rural economies.

The details

The proposed dairies would house around 400 milking cows and 500 heifers each, operating under long-term National Park Service leases that prioritize working landscapes over abandonment. They would provide affordable, onsite housing for at least 32 workers and their families, an essential step toward sustaining the workforce that organic dairies depend on. The dairies would also include small-scale, onsite artisan cheese production, allowing visitors to see how milk becomes cheese and purchase products at the source. Additionally, the dairies would function as workforce training hubs, preparing future farmers and cheesemakers in essential skills.

  • The proposal was submitted to the Interior Department.
  • A public meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at West Marin School.

The players

Albert Straus

A second-generation farmer, founder of Straus Family Creamery, and a lifelong Marshall resident.

Stephanie Moreda-Arend

Helps manage her family's west Petaluma dairy farm and publishes Dairy Girl Diaries.

Point Reyes National Seashore

A national park located in Marin County, California, where the proposed demonstration farms would be located.

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What they’re saying

“Decisions made now will determine whether multigenerational organic dairy farms survive or are lost, along with the food security, ecological stewardship and rural livelihoods they sustain.”

— Albert Straus, Farmer and Creamery Founder

“Showing up matters. Public process matters. Without community participation, we risk losing multigenerational family farms, local food security, rural jobs and the stewards who fiercely care for this land.”

— Stephanie Moreda-Arend, Dairy Farmer

What’s next

The public meeting on April 16, 2026 will be an important opportunity for community members to advocate for the proposed demonstration farms at Point Reyes National Seashore.

The takeaway

Preserving small, organic, regenerative dairy farms is crucial for maintaining a functional local food system, supporting rural livelihoods, and stewarding the land. The proposed demonstration farms at Point Reyes could serve as a model for sustaining these essential agricultural operations.