A Landmark Victory for Agriculture – Lucas Ranch ACE

In a significant stride toward safeguarding California’s agricultural heritage, California Farmland Trust has successfully closed an agricultural conservation easement (ACE) on Lucas Ranch, a beloved 66.93-acre walnut orchard located just two miles west of Gustine in Merced County. This easement closing not only preserves prime farmland but also represents a vital step in maintaining the integrity of a region renowned for its diverse agricultural output.

The Lucas Ranch, owned by Laura Dompe, has been an integral part of their family since 1918. It originally thrived as a small dairy and later transitioned to wheat and alfalfa production. Today, it stands as a testament to modern agricultural practices, featuring walnut trees planted in 2012 on soils designated as Prime farmland.

The protection of the Lucas Ranch also plays a pivotal role in the broader context of land preservation. Along with two other ACEs held by CFT, the ranch forms a substantial 633-acre greenbelt that will prevent the urban sprawl of Gustine and commercial encroachment along Interstate 5. This greenbelt is not just a boundary; it represents a commitment to maintaining agricultural production in the area, which is crucial to Merced County’s economy.

As we pause to celebrate the protection of Lucas Ranch, it is integral to recognize the collaborative efforts of landowners like Laura Dompe, CFT, and neighboring farms in the success of land preservation. Agricultural conservation easements are not merely about preserving the past; they are about ensuring a sustainable future for our communities, our environment, and our local agricultural economies.

In a world where farmland is increasingly under threat from development, the protection of the Lucas Ranch stands as a beacon of hope and a model for future conservation efforts. By keeping prime farmland in production, we not only secure food sources for generations to come but also preserve the rich tapestry of California’s agricultural landscape. The closure of the Lucas Ranch easement is a reminder that when individual farming families come together to protect their land, they are investing in a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

 

A Legacy of Resilience: The Story of Lucas Ranch

 

A New Start at the Turn of the Century

History has always been important to me, especially local history and family history. This sentiment from Laura encapsulates the essence of her family’s journey, which began at the turn of the century with the influx of Portuguese dairymen.

The story of Laura’s family ranch starts with her maternal grandfather, who immigrated from the Azores to California at the age of eleven. Alongside his aging father, he worked at an established dairy operation owned by relatives near Newman. They were compensated with housing, food, and calves, which became the foundation of their own milking herd. This unique form of payment, called “building their own string” was intended to give Laura’s young grandfather a solid start in the thriving dairy business of the time.

Land of One’s Own

By the age of eighteen, Laura’s grandfather had a substantial herd of dairy cows. In 1915, he purchased sixty improved acres in Newman with cash, marking a significant milestone in the family’s history. This property became the steppingstone for further acquisitions and establishing his own dairy operation. A photograph from 1915 captures the moment he moved his herd to the new property, symbolizing a monumental turning point: “No more renting property. No more borrowed. No more somebody else’s,” as Laura puts it. His success in operating the Newman Ranch allowed him to buy the Lucas Ranch in Gustine in 1918.

The Lucas Ranch in Gustine

In 1917, Laura’s grandfather sent for his brother, sister, and mother from the Azores, who would reside on the Newman property while Laura’s grandfather would begin new operations on the Lucas Ranch in Gustine. In those days, friends and family worked together contributing their volunteer labor and talents, helping each other build their horse barns, dairy barns and milk houses, and corrals. With structures up, a growing herd to bring in, and a wealth of new skills and experiences, he managed to create another thriving dairy operation. By 1919, the ranch had expanded with a new house for him and his bride (Laura’s grandmother). He even built bunkhouses for his workers, one of which still stands today.

Laura reflects on the sheer amount of work there was and how there were not a lot of employees, but those who did come to work for him would also be given calves to begin their own dairy herds. The Lucas Ranch was clearly taking shape by the early 1920’s. Laura’s mother, Rose and Rose’s five siblings were born on the ranch. The ranch thrived, a treasured source of many precious memories. When her grandparents moved their young children back to the Newman operation in 1932, other local couples enjoyed building their futures and families as tenants on the Lucas Ranch.

Fast forward forty years to 1959 when Laura’s grandparents have retired and entrusted their son-in-law and daughter (Laura’s parents) to operate and manage both the Newman property and the Lucas Ranch in Gustine. Laura and her brother, Doug, were children and helped their parents. Laura reflects on how difficult it could be to sustain small ag operations. She recalls with a smile, “My dad had a saying: ‘What’s for dinner tonight? It’s going to be either chicken or feathers.’ Her father and brother subsidized their ag operations with other careers. Both were involved in farm equipment sales, real estate and cattle businesses, while Laura, being the daughter, helped in the office. Later, the ranch’s only residual income was rent from one of the houses, and whatever crop income they could get from farming, sometimes joint-venturing or renting out the ground. The once-thriving farming industry had its own challenges at this time, and the Lucas Ranch was not insulated from them.

The Next Chapter

Laura and Doug were aware that there might not be anyone to carry on at their beloved grandparents’ ranch after them. They wanted to honor the hard work of previous generations, and both agreed that an agricultural conservation easement would be the best way to achieve that.

In 2021, Doug reached out to Charlotte Mitchell, CFT executive director. A real estate broker and developer for over 50 years, Doug had spent his career working on development projects in Stanislaus County and the surrounding areas. Though he had encountered agricultural easements throughout his career, it wasn’t until later in life that he truly realized the importance of protecting farmland, particularly in California’s rapidly vanishing Central Valley. Charlotte recalls, “I spent an entire day with Doug, visiting properties he had once owned with his partners and farming neighbors who should understand the significance of ag easements.” Doug’s passion for preserving the Lucas family legacy was evident during their time together.

Laura and Doug, siblings who treasured this beautiful inheritance, decided to move forward with placing the Lucas Ranch under an agricultural easement, ensuring that its future as farmland would be protected forever.

Sadly, Doug Lucas passed away suddenly on February 10, 2022, before he could see his vision realized. Weeks later, their mother Rose died too. Thereafter, Laura Lucas Dompe carried on his commitment and completed the process of securing the Lucas Ranch agricultural conservation easement, recording the easement in June 2024.

A Lasting Legacy

After losing her brother and mother, Laura ensured the ranch’s future through the Lucas Family Trust. Laura reflects on this as “such a rich blessing,” knowing that their family land will always be farmland. “Only because of CFT were we able to do that,” she says, ensuring the legacy of their family ranch for generations to come.

This story of resilience and dedication highlights the importance of family history and the enduring legacy of the land. Laura’s family ranch stands as a testament to their hard work and commitment to preserving their heritage.

This article is dedicated to Doug Lucas, whose spirit, kindness, and boundless energy left a lasting impact on many, especially the staff at CFT. This dedication serves as a humble expression of our gratitude for the time we had to share in his deep love for the farm and the land. His legacy will continue to inspire us all.