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Park Farm's Herstory

Our flagship program is 'Park Farm,' located just within the city limits at Mayberry and McCarran right next to the Betsy Caughlin Donnelly Park. We lease the land from the County but the opportunity to do so is because of a wonderful woman, the Park's namesake,

Betsy Caughlin Donnelly.

Betsy Caughlin Donnelly pictured with her husband, Roger Donnelly (1937). Image courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada, Reno Libraries.

Meet Betsy

Betsy was a third-generation Nevadan whose family influenced the shape and character of the local community over many years. The daughter of William Henry Caughlin and Christine “Crissie” Andrews Caughlin, Elizabeth “Betsy” was born in the ranch house next to the park in 1902. She was the youngest of four Caughlin children.

Reno’s Rich Ranching Heritage 

Known originally as the Andrews Ranch, the pioneering family's expansive property was one of the area’s earliest and largest ranches, consisting at its peak of a reported 6,000 acres of land that stretched all the way from the Truckee River to today’s Skyline Boulevard, right in the heart of the city.

Caughlin Ranch House ca. 1900. Image courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada, Reno Libraries.

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Following in her mom’s footsteps

From the time the Caughlins moved into the main house until shortly before her death in 1955, Crissie occupied her beloved home while the ranch continued to produce crops as well as cows, hogs, chickens, and sheep. Upon her death, Crissie left the ranch to her three surviving children, Bill, Syrene, and Betsy, who together sold the majority of the holdings in order to pay the taxes. That land became the basis of the Caughlin Ranch housing development. Betsy and her siblings took over ownership and operation of the ranch which then totaled about 3,000 acres.

William and Crissie's daughter, Betsy, outside the ranch house on the 4th of July. Image courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada, Reno Libraries.

First female open-space advocate of Nevada

Her namesake, The Betsy Caughlin Donnelly Park, was donated by Betsy in 1970 to the Washoe County Parks Department in order to preserve the 30-acre parcel as a refuge of open space and a buffer between the historic ranch house and rapidly encroaching urban development. She said “she always wanted to keep some open land on the ranch so that future generations of Nevadans could enjoy it along with the gently grazing cattle, as has been the case since 1900.” Today, Betsy Caughlin Donnelly Park is home to our 'Park Farm.'

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Honoring her story 

In 2008, the property, bunkhouse, mansion, and well were added to the City of Reno’s Historic Register. An expertly restored gem, the home has maintained its historic charm on the outside and because of the deed restriction, the 30 acres will hopefully remain a relevant and much cherished gift that Betsy paid forward over 50 years ago.

The Caughlin Ranch House received the Reno Historical Resources Commission’s preservation award for a residential structure in 1997. Creator: Steve Ellison Date: 1997

At Reno Food Systems, we are honored to be a part of stewarding the

Washeshu people's land and Betsy's vision by preserving and continuing

agricultural and public uses of our open spaces.

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Got Land?

Our work would not be possible without the foresight of agricultural advocates like Betsy. If you own a parcel of land or would like to see more open spaces preserved, please connect with us.

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