Profile of a Farm Trails and Farm Bureau Member:
McClelland’s Dairy “Natural Goodness - From She to Thee”
Story By Glenda Castelli
Photograph By Hawkes Photography

 With a dream to live in the land of opportunity, Robert (Bob) Mc Clelland left his home in Northern Ireland in 1929 when he was just 19. He set out for America to join his two sisters who had already settled in the states. Bob quickly settled in and worked as a bridge maintenance worker who helped to build the San Mateo Bridge. In 1937, he married the women of his dreams, Lillian Wilson. Lillian was the daughter of Rebecca and Walter Wilson, who were also Irish immigrants. Lillian, born in the city, moved to a Marin County dairy farm with her family in the Five Brooks between Olema and Bolinas when she was a toddler.

After they were first married, Bob and Lillian tried their hands at raising chickens. Realizing this was not their future, in 1938 they bought a milk route from a Swiss Italian man in Marin County who milked six Brown Swiss cows. The couple soon established themselves in Novato where they began milking 18 Brown Swiss by hand, separating the cream from the milk and bottling it under McClelland’s Dairy with the slogan: “From She to Thee.” They sold the milk by the pint or quart on a milk route that was driven by Bob. However, with the pressure of running a family dairy farm and milk delivery route, Bob’s health began to decline. In 1947 they made the decision to sell the cows, and Bob took a less stressful job as a cattle dealer.

During this time the couple managed to raise four children. However as time went on they began to restock the family farm with cattle. Their eldest son, Robert, showed great interest in the dairy, and the herd was reestablished in the early 50’s. Robert purchased several animals to exhibit at the fairs and was extremely active in 4-H and FFA. He showed his animals, winning numerous awards at the local, state and national levels. In addition, he competed in other events such as dairy cattle judging, and he was one of the first to export cattle by plane from the area to South America. Tragically, Robert was killed in an automobile accident at 19, the same age his father immigrated to America. However, Bob and Lillian continued in the dairy business with their three children, Rebecca, Saralee and George. In 1964 they bought property in Sonoma County. Bob had worked on the ranch before starting in the dairy business and had always been interested in the property for its scenic rolling hills and cool coastal climate.

The family moved to Sonoma County ranch, now the current home of McClelland’s Dairy and started milking cows - George was just 13 years old. At the time they were milking 120 Holstein cows and still owned the ranch in Novato. The Marin County ranch eventually became a housing development and remembered only by the designation of McClelland Drive.

When young George was in high school he worked on the family farm milking cows and feeding calves. In 1971 he married his high school sweetheart, Dora, who came from a farming family in Sonoma County. The couple had three children: Jennifer, Jana and Robert.

In the early days the family worked long hours where George did the milking and feeding calves and Dora took care of most of the crops on about 200 acres. Both were very much involved through their entire lives and never stopped working. Bob passed away in 1987 and Lillian in 1999. Their son Robert started his own family farm in 2005, and eldest daughter Jennifer is an online marketing director.

At the McClelland Dairy today, George and Dora are partnered with daughter Jana where they milk over 800 cows and farm over 600 acres in the beautiful rolling hills of coastal Sonoma County. They have diversified their operation and over a three-year period transitioned their herd to organic practices. Another hallmark in their operation began in 2009 when they started processing organic artisan dairy products. Today you will find McClelland Organic butter at local Farmers Markets and served in select restaurants around the area. The butter is packaged in 8oz tubs, one, or five pound blocks with each package personally hand wrapped by Dora. You will also find the McClellands at County and State Fairs. Last year they accompanied their 11-year-old prized cow to the Madison Wisconsin Dairy Expo. Not to let any grass grow under foot, the McClellands now offer twice monthly farm tours. Here you will learn the history of the dairy industry, pet calves, and even milk a cow. Coming soon, the McClellands will offer cheese from their organic line.

Crediting their success to the strong work ethics instilled by Bob and Lil and the hard work of the team of people on the family farm today, it’s refreshing to see 1938 and 2010 have much in common – sustainable farming, where we as consumers can choose local organic products. For more information on the McClelland Dairy and their tours visit www.mcclellandsdairy. com.

(Glenda Castelli is on the board of directors of Sonoma County Farm Trails and the manager of the Windsor Farmers Market. She and her husband grown wine grapes on their Healdsburg ranch.)

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