Cal Poly Received 390-Acre Brughelli Ranch Donation
The university acquired a sprawling San Luis Obispo property featuring prime farmland and established water infrastructure.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Agriculture
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Cal Poly has expanded its agricultural assets by accepting a donation of the 390-acre Brughelli Ranch, located south of the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. The estate trustees transferred the land, which has been part of local history since the property was first acquired by Aurelio Brughelli in 1928.
Why it matters
This significant donation bolsters the universitys extensive agricultural holdings and provides additional land for educational and research pursuits. The acquisition preserves a substantial tract of land currently under an agricultural conservation easement.
The property includes 100 acres of irrigated Class I soils and 60% of the land is classified as prime agricultural terrain. Water resources feature four wells and a 7-acre reservoir.
The players
Cal Poly
California Polytechnic State University is a public institution known for its learn-by-doing approach to higher education.
Aurelio Brughelli
The original owner who began farming the land in 1928.
The details
The site is governed by an agricultural conservation easement established in 2015 and remains enrolled in the Williamson Act. The transfer follows the deaths of family members Naomie Brughelli in 2008 and Ercole Brughelli in 2023.
Timeline
1875 marked the beginning of the land's history.
1928 was when Aurelio Brughelli began working the ranch.
2008 was the year Naomie Brughelli died.
2015 was when the agricultural conservation easement was established.
2023 was the year Ercole Brughelli died.
Market Landscape
This donation strengthens Cal Poly's footprint as a leader in agricultural education by increasing its already massive land portfolio. It highlights a trend of preserving prime acreage through institutional partnerships rather than commercial development.
The transfer ensures that this productive ranch land will remain protected from residential or industrial sprawl. Local residents benefit from the continued preservation of open, agricultural space south of the regional airport.
The takeaway
Land conservation through institutional donation serves as a vital tool for maintaining agricultural productivity in rapidly developing regions. University management often provides the necessary oversight to ensure protected lands meet both ecological and educational standards.
Further reading
Learn more about local farming developments on the San Luis Obispo Agriculture page.
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