The Ranch
History
For generations, Calera Ranch has been home to a herd of black angus cows. In the 1950’s, Jo Chapman started the herd from several of the historic Big Sur ‘Harlen’ cattle, and through years of careful selection and breeding practices, raised cattle with distinctive traits for both quality beef production and survival in the steep, rugged terrain of the Santa Lucias.
Jo was tough and often a little gruff, necessary during the mid 20th century as a single women in a remote and wild place. But, she also had a deep respect and compassion for her animals, the land, and its wildlife. She drove a pink 1963 Thunderbird up and down the long steep dirt roads to get to and from town. On the ranch, she could usually be found in an old red Jeep, wearing a shower cap to protect her perm with a dalmation dog or two, and blaring opera through the speakers. Jo loved growing african violets and geraniums, eating See’s Candies chocolates, and watching basketball. She was a great friend to many and her memory lives on through the ranch and its cattle.
Jo hosted annual brandings where neighbors and friends would gather to help tag, brand, and vaccinate calves followed by a potluck meal and celebration. These traditions continue to this day, serving the same foods through recipes passed down.
John and Suzy Moon, who have managed Allen Funt’s iconic ‘Brazil Ranch’ near Bixby Bridge for nearly five decades, now own and operate Jo’s ranch and original herd. The cattle primarily live on Calera Ranch and spend part of the year grazing on neighboring Brazil Ranch through a partnership with the US Forest Service.
The logo for Moon’s Big Sur Beef consists of three brands to represent the three main influences on the herd. The first (top left) was Allen Funt’s brand, known for his own cattle operation at Brazil Ranch and breeding quarter horses for performance in the reined cowhorse and cutting horse industries. The second (top right) is the ‘anchor brand,’ created by John and Suzy when they started their own cattle ranch operations in northern California and eastern Oregon. The third (middle) consists of the initials JC, which was Jo Chapman’s brand and continues to be used on Rancho Calera’s herd.
With the help of their children, grandchildren, neighbors, friends, horses, and dogs, John and Suzy hope to continue raising quality, healthy cows, and stewarding the land that they love.
Moving and working cattle in Big Sur’s steep terrain can be challenging, but Suzy (as Jo also did), knows each cow by heart including their family histories, genetics, and individual personalities. The cows also know her well, and come running when they hear the old jeep and her distinctive call (‘Come ooon Girls’), following her just about anywhere she wants them to go.
