Oh, yes, the town “where horses have the right of way” has a fond and willing eye for the goats, as well. That is, there do not yet appear to be any of those n-o-o-o-o-o-ot-t-t-t-t—h-e-r-e!!! bleatings issuing from the grassy flats of McKinleyville’s Dow’s Prairie, where local-cheese-company-gone-global Cypress Grove Chevre has announced it will put its goat dairy.
CGC, recall, wanted to develop the dairy on 23 acres near its operations down in Arcata — up to 1,400 goats, eventually, with indoor-outdoor freedom, a modern waste-composting regime, and about a dozen jobs. Neighbors squawked “industrial goat farm,” noise, stench and joy-destruction. CGC bowed, and stepped back.
While that may have prompted Arcata to enter a period of deep introspection, in the end it was its can-do country cousin who stepped in.
Now the business is awaiting escrow to close on 38 acres in Dow’s Prairie. From CGC’s news release:
The goat herd will begin with 200 carefully selected does and is expected to grow to approximately 1,200 to 1,400 over the next five years. The new dairy will create 12 living-wage, fully-benefited jobs between the McKinleyville and Arcata facilities and will help ensure Cypress Grove’s future in Humboldt County.
Read the rest of the release:
Cypress Grove Chèvre Press Release
McKINLEYVILLE – Humboldt County-based Cypress Grove Chevre announced today that it has agreed on terms and entered into escrow on a 38-acre site on Dow’s Prairie Road in nearby McKinleyville. The land is adjacent to other agricultural properties and will be home to Cypress Grove’s new goat dairy, which will supply much needed milk for the growing demand of the company’s line of award-winning goat cheese.
“I’m pleased that we found such a suitable piece of land nearby the creamery,” said Mary Keehn, founder of Cypress Grove Chevre. “The fact that it is so close to our first site makes it a little nostalgic for me,” added Keehn, referencing her original dairy, creamery and home, which was also located on Dow’s Prairie Road when she started Cypress Grove Chevre in 1983.
Substantial funding provided by Cypress Grove owner Emmi of Switzerland will enable Cypress Grove to build a modern, humane dairy by following proven best management practices. Herds will be maintained within well-ventilated and naturally lit indoor spaces while also enjoying outdoor access. Included in the plan will be efficient manure management that meets all government regulations and allows for productive re-use as fertilizer and soil amendment.
The goat herd will begin with 200 carefully selected does and is expected to grow to approximately 1,200 to 1,400 over the next five years. The new dairy will create 12 living-wage, fully-benefited jobs between the McKinleyville and Arcata facilities and will help ensure Cypress Grove’s future in Humboldt County.
“We are thankful for the great number of property referrals we received from citizens,” commented Pamela Dressler, general manager of Cypress Grove Chevre. “It’s gratifying to know that we have a lot of friends and supporters out there.” Dressler went on to thank the Arcata City Council, Humboldt County Supervisor Mark Lovelace and the community development directors of the City of Arcata and Humboldt County; Larry Oetkter and Kirk Girard respectively. “Our final decision is pending positive results from further inspections of the parcel, but timely and informative support from local government was a great help to us in refining this property search.”
Cypress Grove Chevre is the leading producer of fine American goat cheese, including the top-selling American artisanal classic, Humboldt Fog. Founded in 1983 by Mary Keehn, Cypress Grove continues a tradition of innovation by introducing original American cheeses to the marketplace, such as Truffle Tremor and new Herbs de Humboldt. Based in Humboldt County, CA, where the Redwoods meet the Pacific, Cypress Grove’s award-winning family of products can be found at fine retail outlets and restaurants across the country. Cypress Grove’s mission is to provide its customers with an innovative and unique selection of cheeses while taking care of its employees, community, dairies and the environment.
This article appears in Vulnerable.
McGoatville gets the last laugh… or the first bite of deliciousness. Yum! I’m happy CG is going to up the ante. The more cheese the merrier.
Do you mean CGC instead of CPC?
Yes, Patrick. Yes we do. Thanks.
I wish they had moved to Eureka. They’d make better neighbors than the ones we have.
The job lovin’ Eureka City Council doesn’t seem to have the ambition to attract Coastal Grove to Eureka. They don’t even seem to have the ambition to support the Lost Coast Brewery expansion. They sure were quick to toss those recycling jobs. Throwing open the door for big box retail seems to be the only job creating they like. Low wage, no benefit, part time workers are their idea of ideal citizens, I guess. And odds are, they’ll run for re-election as job creators.
stick to journalism, comedy is not your thing.
12 jobs? The potential damage to the area is not worth 12 jobs! How will all that waste affect the water? I’m curious to know whether an assessment has been done to see what the long term financial impact will be to deal with the cost of potential water & waste issues. Mckinleyville residence at least deserve a detailed written description of the plan for “efficient manure management”
I have been hearing people say Arcata should annex Mckinleyville since Arcata needs more room to grow. At first I was against it, but I think I’m starting to agree! Mckinleyville is not a city, it’s just an unincorporated area. At this point if the people of Mckinleyville haven’t taken the steps to become a city & protect themselves from annexation they must not want to. Annexing Mckinleyville could greatly benefit the city of Arcata. Although, the rural area where the goats are probably would not be annexed at least the potential revenue from the other areas would help.
Drew, please consider…the area already lost the tree farm, which was a very welcome locally and nationally, and at least as much a waste producer…probably moreso, like arcata’s seemingly benign bulb farm. The surrounding area is tentatively slated for rezoning to accomodate “multi-family housing complexes”…consider all those toilets flushing, sinks draining all kinds of chemicals etc. not to mention vehicle waste and runoff. Further not mentioning the necessary infrastructure (aka even more loss of open space) to accomodate increased population…even further still not to mention loss of property value and quality of life for everybody who’s permanently invested in the town, and plan to stay here as long as life allows (myself included). The goat farm isn’t a bad thing, especially comparatively.
McKinleyville is doing itself right with this in many ways. Rue the day when horses no longer have the right of way, burn barrels are banned outright, and even more city services become mandatory payments for all property owners.
Thank you for addressing the concerns I have about the impact of the waste. I am now wondering if it is possible to stop the rezoning for multi-family complexes? An increase in multi-family complexes seems inappropriate for a town like Mckinleyville.
9:54–I giggled.
I would love to see the outright ass-kicking riots that would break out if Arcata thought it could annex Macktown.
Newly elected Arcata councilmember Wennerholm introduced a motion
“The job lovin’ Eureka City Council doesn’t seem to have the ambition to attract Coastal Grove to Eureka. “
Do you know of any AG LAND that fits those specs within the City limits O6em?
Didnt think so.
“They don’t even seem to have the ambition to support the Lost Coast Brewery expansion.”
uhmmm, not true. In fact the BrewCrew is dealing with…you guessed it – the same thing Arcata dealt with – NIMBYS – bbut never fear, 06em just ’cause you havent heard anything doesnt mean progress isnt being made
“They sure were quick to toss those recycling jobs. “
Nahhh – that’s on the Recycling center. Willits did everything right – went through a transparent bidding process and won the bid fairly. If Arcata Recycling had the low bid and had its business yanked away in favor of an out of town business, you’d be howlin at the moon.
“Throwing open the door for big box retail seems to be the only job creating they like.”
Did you write for Pravda? Seriously dude(ette?) – the Council didnt do that, the MAJORITY OF VOTERS approved Measure N in November.
Now, I know you were one of the Heraldoites crowing about the virtual certainty of a a progressive majority Eureka City Council with the Nov 2010 elections, but face it – Eureka is solidly moderate.
Now go back and eat some more sour grapes. Sheesh
“the MAJORITY OF VOTERS approved Measure N in November.”
Howzabout some critical analysis on this from you? Seriously. “solidly moderate”…tells us your headstate, nothing more. People are solidly common sense when it comes down to it, and place faith in their elected officials. Specific officials currently holding office were outright devious…intentionally vague and misleading about their platforms during the election. If you disagree with that, you’re lying to us or yourself about what you surely must know of the difference between honesty and deception.
The majority of voters didn’t know what Measure N was about much beyond the bleating “jobs” and the nice name. Big Box on the Bay and apartments…how much you wanna bet the majority of people in Humboldt are vehemently against that? And that’s not saying the voters were dumb with their voice…as said constituents retort whenever anybody challenges their tactics. A virtual gang of voters was organized specifically for that measure, to get that measure passed. Multi million dollar PR firms get results, and said constituents hired said firm. Additionally, the specific group of people who casually threw down $30 thousand dollars to get the measure on the ballot had a plan of attack that still didn’t even landslide the vote, and there was virtually no money funding opposition. It was a gimmick measure riding financial sponsership, proving nothing but what their money could buy at the time.
L.B.Honest, get a clue – my post at 929 is a response to a bitter 06em who posted an outright falsehood regarding the Eka CC and big boxes by attributing the action to the city council.
No “critical analysis” necessary, except to SHOUT that it was the voters, not the council who approved measure N.
Your sour grapes are also apparent – measure N passed overwhelmingly, and your statement that it didn’t “landslide the vote” shows YOUR lack of critical thinking.
Your smug condescension in stating the voters didnt know what they were voting in measure N is typical of someone in denial – voters knew – and they voted accordingly – and it doesnt matter what “the voters of Humboldt” want in this case – Arcata, nor anywhere else in the county other than E-town doesnt get a vote here – this is Eureka – solidly moderate Eureka.
A good barometer will be the upcoming election in November 2012, which will see another hard-left incumbant in Linda Atkins up for re-election. We’ll see how extreme right, extreme left or moderate Eureka is. My guess is that Linda will be voted out, ala Larry Glass by someone moderate – we shall see though.
Gee, that wasn’t a predictable response, p. You’re an affiliate voter…er…thinker…about as “solidly moderate” as the side of the line from which ideas come. Anybody paying attention to your posts over time (you’re welcome) recognizes this. Don’t feel bad (I know you don’t) you’re far from alone within this har “blogsphere” bo-sheeit.
Wow,
That’s some real “critical analysis” there, LBH!
Solid!