Tuesday's Internet Edition, September 07, 2010.
Van Vleck Ranch in RM honored with major
award
By Sheri Barile
River Valley Times Reporter The Van Vleck Ranch, a Rancho
Murieta icon, was among 44
inductees to the California
Agricultural Heritage Club
honored at a ceremony and
brunch on July 30. The ranch
was announced at the California
Exposition and State Fair as an
inductee in the category of 150
years of continuous operation.
There were just 11 California
agricultural entities inducted in
this category for 2010. Van
Photo courtesy to River Valley Times
Vleck Ranch reached the 150The Van Vleck family ranchers of Rancho Murieta are
year milestone in 2006.
presented with an award on July 30 from the California
Recognition is awarded to
Ag Heritage Club after being inducted as 150-year
California farms, ranches,
organizations and agribusinesses honorees. Shown (from left) are award presenter Jim
that have preserved an economic Van Maren, CA Ag Heritage Club chair; Nichole, Tori,
Christian and Stan O. Van Vleck; and Corny Gallager,
standard in the state with a
vice-chair of Cal Expo Board of Directors.
minimum requirement of one
entire century.
According to Stanley O. Van Vleck, president of Van Vleck Ranching and Resources, Inc., this
kind of longevity is no ordinary feat.
“There are some 70,000 farmers in this state, and a very small percentage stay in business
continuously and through the generations,” he said. “There are significant financial and economic
challenges, and it can be difficult for multiple generations to stay committed to the land and the
business.”
But dedication to purpose is a Van Vleck family legacy. Van Vleck’s great-great-grandfather,
Amos, traveled 2,000 miles to California in a covered wagon in 1856, settling and establishing a
ranch in the Camino area. The family migrated down to Sacramento County in 1917 and
established the ranch that still thrives along Highway 16 in Rancho Murieta today.
Van Vleck said he felt extremely honored to by recognized, but stressed that the honor really
belongs to his family members who came before him. “It was their blood, sweat and tears that got
us to this point,” he said. “(Amos Van Vleck’s party) could have died trying to get here to a land
they’d never seen before. Many other families did. They put their lives at risk, and we really owe
a lot to them.”
The commitment that led to this ultimate achievement continued through the generations, and
Van Vleck expressed his appreciation – not only for the award - but also for the gift of being able
to do what he loves. “The risk comes with a lot of reward,” he said. “To be able to produce food
and fiber is very rewarding when you love the land and love what you do. This award is really a
reflection back to family members in the past that laid great groundwork. If they hadn’t, we
wouldn’t have been able to stay in business.”
Since coming to Sacramento County, the Van Vleck family has done a great deal to pay it
forward by benefiting the RM community and the greater Sacramento region. Philanthropic uses
of their land are enjoyed by several organizations that train there including the Operating
Engineers Local Union No. 3, Sacramento Metro Fire Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s
Department and the military.
In addition, 20,000 Boy Scouts come through the ranch each year as part of their educational
scouting experience. Sac Metro was also permitted to erect an emergency communications
response antenna on the Van Vleck land to help protect RM.
Van Vleck sees the ranch’s relationship with RM as mutually beneficial. He cited the recycled
wastewater that is pumped onto the land from RM Community Services District as an example.
“It helps RM, and it helps us,” he said. “That irrigation has come to us in tough times and has
saved crops that would have died,” he said. “It has helped us to stay in business.”
Reaching out to the community is something that Van Vleck said his father, Stanley L. Van
Vleck, firmly instilled. The elder Van Vleck died in a helicopter crash in 2000. “There were some
who were concerned about the development of RM, but my dad embraced it,” he said. “The
partnerships we’ve built with the community are good for business." He added, "We have
appreciated this community, and we want to stay here. My dad had a lot of pride in the family
business, and I know he would be very happy about this award.”
Van Vleck Ranch is a 10,000-acre operation that produces hay and cattle and mines sand, gravel
and clay. The ranch is also home to two paintball facilities and a recreational horseback riding
operation.
Van Vleck added that the corporation is working on developing a multi-generational, 50-year
plan to sustain the business and reach his goal of 200 years in California ranching. “We got to
150 years, which is quite an accomplishment,” Van Vleck said. “Now we’re looking at the next
50 years so we can make it to 200.”
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