History
The Butler Ranch sold
to Fetzer/Brown Forman and most of the cherry trees were replaced with
wine grapes in 2000. These changes make documentation of the Ranch's
passing history and Ella and George's stories more important. The Butler
Ranch story is a special one -- not just because of the abundance of
cherries for the picking every summer, although that was a big part of
the draw. The true delight of the place rested in its longtime owners,
George and Ella Butler.
Orchard Beginnings
George and Ella Butler bought La Cima Ranch on Boonville Road southwest
of Ukiah in the 1930s. Together, they began to add to the existing
orchard which included cherry trees planted over the years since the
late 19th century. Although they experimented with a variety of fruit,
such as mulberries and plums, the Butlers favored cherries and developed
a popular “u-pick business.” The Butlers were ahead of their time, using
organic farming methods at their ranch decades before it became popular.
Busy Lives
Besides operating their ranch, both George and Ella Butler developed
careers in the community. Ella had a career as a local schoolteacher
which supported her husband's college attendance. George spent time as a
social worker and served in the Navy in World War II. Later, the couple
ran two businesses in Ukiah, first a grocery store and then a realty
company.
Facing Challenges
Mendocino County Agricultural
Officer Dave Bengston used the term "tenacity" in describing George and Ella Butler. This couple embodied
tenacity in a number of ways. They persisted in cherry cultivation even
though Mendocino County's climate and soils presented a challenge to
growing this fruit. The Butler Ranch produced cherries for more than
half a century, with very little and sometimes no profit. In 1971,
following surgery at age 57, George Butler became partially paralyzed
and dependent on a wheelchair. But this obstacle did not deter the
Butlers from their dedication to the ranch. Ella helped George to his
tractor so that he still could work the cherries. After Ella's untimely
death in 1985, her husband continued to run the 1300-acre ranch from his
wheelchair. Following a bout of ill health several years later, a group
of women who were very close friends of the couple committed to care for
George at his ranch home. Members of this group cared for him, as Ella
would have, until his death in 1996. Their love and admiration for both
George and Ella is one of the driving forces behind The Butler Cherry
Ranch Project.
Commitment to the
Community
Another word often associated with George and Ella Butler is generosity.
Besides opening their ranch to the community for the harvest experience
every summer, the Butlers often gave away food grown on the ranch. They
believed in and practiced community service. Both served a number of
community organizations over the years and Ella's service continues to
be recognized today through the Ella K. Butler Award given annually by
Ukiah's Business and Professional Women's organization.
Friends characterize the Butlers among the most accepting people they ever knew. The couple extended the idea of family beyond themselves to include others whom they heartily embraced. Whether it was giving a down-on-his-luck stranger a job on the ranch, bringing city kids to their home for the ranch experience or sharing their lunch table with the newly arrived back-to-the-landers in the 1970s, George and Ella Butler opened their hearts and lives.
Extraordinary Gifts
In short, George and Ella Butler were ordinary people who lived
extraordinary lives. It is interesting to note that both were trained as
teachers. Indeed, that may be their greatest gift to the Mendocino
County community: what they can teach us about tenacity, generosity,
acceptance, and community service -- about how to live life.
