October 26 • 9am to 1pm

Fun for the entire family. Show off your Halloween costumes and explore the Spooktacular Youth Garden. So many fun activities including animal tracking, insect identification, spooky scavenger hunts and games. Meet the critters and creepy crawlies from our friends at Sacramento Splash and Save the Snakes. Visit the craft stations to create corn husk dolls, acorn necklaces, paper owls and leaf art. It is sure to be a treat! $5 per person (ages 3 to 11). Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Purchase a wristband to enter the Spooktacular Youth Garden and tickets to decorate a pumpkin or make a nature crown for an additional $8 each at the turquoise Welcome Tent located near the farm entrance. Adults do not need to purchase a wristband to enter with your children.

Highlights

See What’s Happening on the Sun

Community Observatory docents will set up several types of solar telescopes for safe public solar viewing of the exciting events happening now.

Bat Hollow Maze

A Halloween tradition at Soil Born Farms created by our farmers.
Kids of all ages love to run, play and get lost in the maze. Located behind the Outdoor Theater near the horseshoe pit.

Learn About Bats, Owls, Crows & Hawks

Naturalist Cliff Hawley will give a free talk in the Sacred Circle at 10:15am

Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour

Explore the American River Ranch through the eyes of a visionary.
Walk and talk with Shawn Harrison, Co-Director. See how our farmers implement regenerative practices that revitalize the land and restore the historic American River Ranch. Many of these principles can be applied to your home garden. Everyone can play a part in creating a climate-safe California.10-11:30 am. Pre-registration required.

Bird Walk

Start your morning off with a pleasant walk around American River Ranch with naturalist Cliff Hawley. We will experience a variety of resident and migratory birds. Cliff will point out other critters and plant life along the way. This nature walk is ideal for beginner to intermediate birdwatchers. 8:30-10 am.
Pre registration is required.

Live Music with Millington Strings

Enjoy the classic tunes with a cup of Pachamama coffee and local baked goods or brunch plates available at Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar. Performing from 10-1pm on the Outdoor Theater Stage.

Farmhouse Kitchen Pop Up

9am to 1pm or until we sell out. Proceeds benefit our Culinary Arts program.

• Special Guest Tyler Stowers, Scrumburger will be grilling his famous Burgers including a delicious Breakfast Burger
• Gina’s French Toast Bake made with Camina Sourdough
• Vegetarian Chili served with a Mixed Green Salad & Cornbread

Sponsors

Crow Graphic: Michael Welch

Drive-thru Farmstand Pickup on Saturday

Our marketplace features organic produce, prepared foods, seedlings, fruit trees and an assortment of organic pantry and baked goods that we have curated from local farms, bakeries and small businesses (see details below). It’s a one-stop shopping experience that will support you and local farmers, bakers, artisans and entrepreneurs on the road to recovery.

Shop from Tuesday at 5pm through Thursday at 9am >>

Order and Pickup Schedule for the Week of October 7

Order Online: Tues., October 8 from 5pm through Thurs., October 10 at 9am
Prescheduled Order Pickup: Sat., October 12 between 8am and 1:00pm
Note: Our services may be limited during storms or extreme heat. Check the website or social media for updates.

Stress-Free Shopping

Open Air Organic Produce Stand

For our customers who prefer to shop in person and choose their own produce. With the aim to provide you with an abundant selection of organic produce every season, we are honored to sell organic produce from our own fields and from family farms and orchards in the region. For the best selection order online and choose the walk up option on Saturday. We’ll have everything packed and ready to go. If you see something else you want, you can buy that too. EBT accepted. Opens at 8:00 am.

Milly’s Mercantile

We’ve curated a delicious collection of local farm goods, pantry staples and handcrafted products, Camina bread, Real Pie Company frozen pot pies, homemade soup by the quart from our Farmstand Kitchen and beautiful floral wreaths. We are proud to feature the creations of local artisans. Check out the local, unique artisan products and practical gifts we offer in Milly’s Mercantile. Open 8:30 am-1pm.

Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar

Named after a beloved cow, Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar is a micro business created to provide on-the-job training for our teen empowerment program. We serve Pachamama organic coffee, organic tea blends, chai, hot spiced cider, cold beverages, healthy snacks and delicious baked goods from Real Pie Co., Camina, Old Soul Co. and our very own Farmhouse Kitchen. The Stop by on your next bike ride, hike or farm visit. Local musicians perform each week. Opens at 8:30 am. Enjoy a Green Plate Special featuring our delicious soup, salad and Camina bread weekly.

Greenhouse Garden Shop & Fruit Tree Nursery

Cool season seedlings are making their return to our greenhouse. Shop in person at our Greenhouse Garden Shop & Fruit Tree Nursery Saturday mornings from 8am – 1pm or visit our online marketplace to stock up on fall crops, herbs, fruit trees, compost, potting soil and garden goods.

Please Support Our Work

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. ~ Rachel Carson

Soil Born Farms emerged from the hearts of changemakers in 2000, a vision grounded in hard work, a commitment to the greater good, perseverance, teamwork and love. With imagination, we move towards new possibilities. We think of ourselves and our donors as co-creators helping to build a local food system where everyone has what they need. We remember sacred traditions and integrate regenerative agriculture practices that honor right relationship with the land and each other. Creating the Center for Food, Health & the Environment is the work of today infused with the vision of a healthier and more equitable tomorrow. We need your financial support to continue this invaluable work. Donate before Dec. 31 and be a part of the change you wish to see for our community.

Made Possible with Your Support

•  50,000 pounds of certified organic produce was grown at the farm
• 150,000+ organic plants seeded in our Greenhouse
• 862 6-packs and 3.25″ pot seedlings along with curriculum, garden resources and tools were distributed to local schools in Sacramento and Rancho Cordova.
• 172 teachers from SCUSD, SJUSD and FCUSD and credentialed student teachers from CSUS were trained in garden and environmental curriculum to facilitate successful, engaged learning in outdoor environments.
• 1,860 students participated in field trips, homeschool classes, after school activities and summer camp at the American River Ranch.
• 22 interns (14 college and 8 high school) were trained and engaged at school gardens, on-site youth education and in farm activities
• 7.805 student garden or farm experiences made possible through our Growing Together and Roots & Wings programs
• 101 adult classes were offered in home gardening, fruit tree care, nature exploration, herbal medicine, wellness, yoga and native plants.
• 6,500 pounds of fruit gleaned from neighborhoods
• 36 organic small farms, local businesses and artisans sell through our online marketplace
• 2,432 families served through our online marketplace & drive thru farmstand and the open air produce stand on Saturdays
• $9,594.10 healthy food sales through 252 CalFresh/EBT transactions. Thanks to a partnership with Alchemist CDC and the Market Match Program, our customers received $8,510.45  in free produce and plants.
• 2,365 quarts of healing soup prepared with love using seasonal, organic produce by the Culinary Arts Team. The soup was offered for drive thru pick up and served on Saturdays.
• 21 teens were employed and mentored at the Marketplace Drive-thru Farmstand, Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar and had summer jobs with youth ed, in the office and the kitchen.
• 425 people attended our free seasonal gardening clinics.
• 91 fruit trees were distributed for free and planted in home gardens with support from the City of Rancho Cordova. 167 more fruit trees were sold to home gardeners from our nursery.
• 26 grants applied for (14 awarded and 8 pending)
• 347 volunteers worked over 2600 hours on the farm, in the kitchen and at school sites assisting on a variety of food access, environmental stewardship and youth empowerment activities.
• 1 Schoolhouse was renovated to improve ADA access. A new Viewshed Deck was added to support our micro business enterprises including rentals, catering, pop ups, community events and our education program to include culinary classes.
• 1 Starter Colony of Bees  was successfully removed from a Mulberry Tree in a high traffic area and moved to the Youth Orchard. Our educators will use this new Bee Hive to enhance the Youth Education program and benefit the surrounding orchards and gardens.

We Grow More than Food

Registration is Now Open

This summer, students in grades pre-K through 6th have the opportunity to attend a unique, fun and educational summer day camp at Soil Born Farms’ 55-acre ranch located along the beautiful American River Parkway. Our day camps provide a wonderful opportunity for youth to make the connection between food, health and the environment. With so much to do in each camp session, youth are guaranteed to find something that peaks their curiosity and gets them excited! Each week, participants will explore garden, field, creek and river environments, get their hands dirty and cook up tasty food. This memorable summer activity for your children has the potential to be life changing! Act now, spaces fill up quickly.

New this Summer! Saturday Kids Adventures

This summer we are excited to offer single day kids adventures on Saturday mornings! These are perfect for kids who want to enjoy the farm but have packed summer schedules. We will spend our mornings harvesting in the garden, crafting with plants or out adventuring along the parkway. Mixed age experiences for campers ages 6-11. Sign up for one or more sessions.

Click here for more information>>

Register for our camps>>

Made Possible with Your Support

• 60,000 pounds of certified organic produce was grown at the farm
• 150,000+ organic plants seeded in our Greenhouse
• 1,080 6-packs and 3.25″ pot seedlings along with curriculum, garden resources and tools were distributed to local schools in Sacramento and Rancho Cordova.
• 300 teachers from SCUSD, SJUSD and FCUSD and credentialed student teachers from CSUS were trained in garden and environmental curriculum to facilitate successful, engaged learning in outdoor environments.
• 961 students participated in field trips, homeschool classes, after school activities and summer camp at the American River Ranch.
• 16 interns were trained and engaged at school gardens and in farm activities
• 4,785 student garden or farm experiences made possible through our Growing Together and Roots & Wings programs
• 162 adult classes were offered in home gardening, fruit tree care, nature exploration, herbal medicine, wellness, yoga and native plants.
• 6,500 pounds of fruit gleaned from neighborhoods
• 35 organic small farms, local businesses and artisans sell through our online marketplace
• 1,938 families served through our online marketplace & drive thru farmstand and the open air produce stand on Saturdays
• $8,292 healthy food sales through 217 CalFresh/EBT transactions. Thanks to a partnership with Alchemist CDC and the Market Match Program, our customers received $7,588 in free produce and plants.
• 1,850 quarts of healing soup prepared with love using seasonal, organic produce by the Culinary Arts Team. The soup was offered for drive thru pick up and served on Saturdays.
• 15 teens were employed and mentored at the Marketplace Drive-thru Farmstand, Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar and had summer jobs with youth ed, in the office and the kitchen.
• 425 people attended our free seasonal gardening clinics.
• 62 fruit trees were distributed for free and planted in home gardens with support from the City of Rancho Cordova. 110 more fruit trees were sold to home gardeners from our nursery.
• 26 grants applied for (13 awarded and 3 pending)
• 228 volunteers worked over 1700 hours on the farm, in the kitchen and at school sites assisting on a variety of food access, environmental stewardship and youth empowerment activities.
• 1 Farmhouse Kitchen was renovated to expand our micro business enterprise to include culinary classes, cooks camp, job training, pop ups, catering, healthy soup and meals for the Online Marketplace, Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar and Milly’s Mercantile.

Practical Guidance and Family Fun

It’s Easy Eating Green

Eat the Rainbow Smoothie

Seed Sprouting Activity

How Fast Can It Sprout? Part 1

How to Plant a Fruit Tree

For more videos and tips, visit our YouTube channel >>

Saturday, August 27 • 8am to 1pm

Get Ready to Grow! Visit our organic plant sale to fill your garden with vegetable starts, edible perennials, medicinal and culinary herbs, succulents and fruit trees which will provide food and beauty through the fall and winter. All plants are organically grown with love and selected for the Sacramento area. Pick up high quality potting soil, compost and seeds and chat with our farmers and educators. Shop early for the best selection. Download Plant List >>

Free Gardening Clinic

Free Classes, Talks and Tours. Learn how to grow vibrant, tasty, and healthy plants from Soil Born Farms’ knowledgeable staff and community educators. Activities include: preparing your fall garden, growing fall/winter greens, seed saving, wreath making, native plant walk, regenerative agriculture farm tour, master beekeeper Q&A, and more. This is a rain or shine event. Registration will occur at the event ONLY and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Check in for tickets at the turquoise Event Tent. Schedule is subject to change.

Class Schedule

8:00–8:45am Preparing a Fall Garden with Shawn Harrison, Soil Born Farms
9:00–9:45am Drip Irrigation for the Home or School Garden with Shannon Hardwicke, Soil Born Farms
9:00–9:45am Master Beekeeper Q&A with Rachel Morrison, The Beecharmers
10:00–10:45am Attracting Birds and Beneficials to Your Backyard with Cliff Hawley
10:00–10:45am Preparing a Fall Garden with Shawn Harrison
11:00–11:45am Growing Greens Tyler Stowers, Soil Born Farms
12:00–12:45pm Master Beekeeper Q&A with Rachel Morrison, The Beecharmers

Tours, Walks & Talks

8:00–8:45am Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour with Zebulon Siegel, Soil Born Farms
9:00–9:45am Native Plant Walk with Mark Shaffer, Happy Grow Lucky LLC and CNPS (California Native Plant Society)
9:00–9:45am Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour with Tyler Stowers
10:00–10:45am Wreath Making Demo with Dried Flowers with Lacey Carlson, Soil Born Farms
11:00–11:45am Explore Volunteer Opportunities in the Gardens, Farm and Kitchen with Vanessa Forwood, Soil Born Farms
12:00–12:45pm Intro to Seed Saving with Kellan MacKay, Soil Born Farms
12:00–12:45pm Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour with Shawn Harrison

Farmhouse Kitchen Pop-up Brunch

9am–1pm (or until sold out) Fundraiser: Proceeds Benefit the Culinary Arts Program
Organic Garden Bowl $12
Greens, Whole Grains, Veggies (Gluten-free and Vegetarian, Vegan option available)
Farm Fresh Frittata Plate $12
Roasted Potatoes, Mixed Green Salad (Gluten-free, Vegetarian)
Lil’ Sprouts Plate $7
Three organic pancakes and fresh fruit served with organic maple syrup and organic butter

More information >>

Co-sponsored by Sacramento Natural Foods Coop