THE HEFFERNANS :

Mary and Brian Heffernan always dreamed of moving to the country to ranch and raise “free-range kids” in the dirt and sunshine. They both have deep agriculture roots and a passion for small town, small business, and family-centered food. So when the opportunity to purchase the historic Sharps Gulch Ranch came along in 2013, Mary and Brian knew they'd found their land. With eyes on a new adventure and California soil in their souls, they took their four spunky girls to Siskiyou County.

We are Five Marys Farms - after Mary and our four daughters all named Mary after grandmothers and aunts on both sides of the family. MaryFrances or "Francie" is 13, MaryMarjorie or "Maisie" is 11, MaryJane or "JJ" is 9 and MaryTeresa or "Tessa" is 8.

Those are the FIVE MARYS proud to be working the ranch everyday keeping up with the leader of our pack, Heff. 

Brian’s Family Legacy

Casper Borchard, Brian’s great, great grandfather, was born in Germany and came to Ventura County to began farming sugar beets in 1867. Known as one of the first agriculturalists in this region, Casper and his wife Theresa farmed in the area and eventually bought the Conejo ranch of four thousand acres. Their son, Antone, continued the family ranch and later settled in Orange County, where Brian’s family continued working in agriculture until the present day. Brian's Dad felt a strong tie to his farming roots and left the business world to begin his own farming journey in Imperial Valley and then in Tehema County  in the North Sate. Brian's dad, Tom, passed away this year but made many visits to the ranch before he died and was very proud to see his son following in his footsteps. We farm to remember Tom and his dedication to the land, the animals and the California farming community. 

Mary’s Family Legacy

Mary is a 6th generation Californian, with her family roots in Watsonville/Santa Cruz county which began when her ancestors came from Ireland to the Pajaro Valley in 1859. They grew strawberries, apples, lettuce, and sugar beets and farmed in the Watsonville area for five generations.

Below are photos from the Sheehy Family produce facility and the Sheehy family apple crate labels and brands. We proudly hang these in our home to remind us of our farming ancestors and our farming roots!

We are very proud to be back in agriculture, just as our ancestors were, on our own family farm to continue our Californian history on Siskiyou County soil. Our daughters are 7th generation Californians who we hope to raise with a love and respect of the land where we live.