Are artisanal foodie brands ruining a California national park?

Herds of cows provide meat and dairy for influential purveyors, but environmentalists say they despoil the landscape

An hour north of San Francisco lie two-dozen dairy and meat farms that have produced some of the most beloved artisanal brands in northern California - along with a farm-fresh, locally sourced foodie ethos that has become globally influential.

All the dairies in Point Reyes are organic, and the beef is grass-fed. They are models of sustainable farming, providing the raw ingredients for cheesemaker Cowgirl Creamery, the Straus Family Creamery, and Marin Sun Farms meats, to name a few.