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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.

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

Order and Pickup Schedule for the Week of November 3

Order Online: Tues., November 4 from 5pm through Thurs., November 6 at 9am
Prescheduled Order Pickup: Sat., November 8 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 pies, homemade soup by the quart from our Farmstand Kitchen. 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 Brunch from the Farmhouse Kitchen. Served 9am-1pm. Seasonal Menu.

Greenhouse Garden Shop & Fruit Tree Nursery

Visit our online marketplace to stock up on fall crops, herbs, fruit trees, compost, potting soil and garden goods. We have a selection of garden goods available at Milly’s Mercantile. The Fall Plant Sales starts September 6 thru October 25. Shop in person *every Saturday 8am-1pm at the Greenhouse Garden Shop & Fruit Tree Nursery.
*Closed 9/20/25

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.

Register Today

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! Register for our camps >>

Little Sprouts

Campers ages 4–5 have an opportunity to meet the chickens, dig in the dirt, smell herbs and taste fresh fruits and vegetables. Using stories, songs, crafts, and games, our youngest campers will learn about our farm while enjoying playful, fun-filled mornings. Please note: This camp runs June 17-20 from 9–11:30am.

Farm Camp

Learn how to grow food and flowers, harvest and cook with our culinary team, and explore new spaces with us! Youth will spend the week learning about the American River Ranch and connecting to their food, their health and the environment. In the garden, around the farm, and at the American River, campers will become stewards of the natural world and build a new community of friends. Check out our sample schedule below.

Tuesday – Field and Garden Day

Campers will be oriented to the garden, get their hands dirty, and dig into what the week will be all about.

Wednesday – Farm to Fork Day

Campers will harvest produce from our fields and create delicious recipes with our culinary arts team.

Thursday – Creek and River Exploration

Campers will hike and explore as we adventure through Cordova Creek and the American River Parkway.

Friday – Art and Market Day

Campers will craft and harvest as they prepare their own Farmers Market Party for families and friends to experience.

Session Dates:

Gardeners (campers ages 6-8)

June 24 to 27 or
July 15 to 18 or
July 22 to 25

Jr. Farmers (campers ages 9-12)

July 8 to 11 or
July 29 to August 1

Give a Gift & Change a Life

Provide a Scholarship for Summer Day Camp

Give the gift of nature, learning, and adventure! Your donation to our Summer Day Camp Scholarship Fund helps ensure that all children, regardless of financial barriers, can experience the magic of the farm.
Full or partial scholarships welcomed >>

Year-End Fundraising Drive Appreciation

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to our year-end fundraising drive. Your generosity empowers our mission to create an urban agriculture and education project that inspires youth and adults to actively participate in a local food system. Together, we promote healthy living, environmental stewardship, and a sustainable community.

Thanks to your support, we’re stepping into 2025 with renewed energy and exciting plans, including growing a healthier future, empowering the next generation, serving as a source of healthy food and healthy living, and continuing the restoration of the American River Ranch.

Together, we’re cultivating a brighter, more sustainable future. Thank you for being part of this journey!

Double Your Impact

If you believe in the simple solutions we are offering, consider increasing your annual gift to reach more people and facilitate positive change. Please help Soil Born Farms move forward with a generous gift that will be matched thanks to the Dave and Maxine Clark Family. We can do this with your support. Little by little, step by step, it happens!

Made Possible with Your Support

•  56,000 pounds of certified organic produce was grown at the farm
• 280,000+ organic plants seeded in our Greenhouse
• 3,839 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.
• 2,820 students participated in field trips, homeschool classes, after school activities and summer camp at the American River Ranch.
• 16 interns (14 college and 8 high school) were trained and engaged at school gardens, on-site youth education and in farm activities
• 4,067 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.
• 22 youth classes were offered on Saturdays for ages 4-16
• 36 organic small farms, local businesses and artisans sell through our online marketplace
• 2,721 families served through our online marketplace & drive thru farmstand and the open air produce stand on Saturdays
• $13,735.78 healthy food sales through 389 CalFresh/EBT transactions. Thanks to a partnership with Alchemist CDC and the Market Match Program, our customers received $13,058.67  in free produce and plants.
• 4,856 bowls 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.
• 22 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.
• 200 people attended our free seasonal gardening clinics.
• 100 fruit trees were distributed for free and planted in home gardens with support from the City of Rancho Cordova. 79 more fruit trees were sold to home gardeners from our nursery.
• 35 grants applied for (19 awarded and 5 pending)
• 288 volunteers worked 2,657.75 hours on the farm, in the kitchen and at school sites assisting on a variety of food access, environmental stewardship and youth empowerment activities.
• 11 new tunnels added this year for a total of 1/2 acres of production under tunnels.
• 6 new climate friendly equipment added including electric chainsaw, tunnels, additional parts on moisture sensing equipment, new occltation tarps, PTO 0-driven wood chipper, new walk-in cooler with improved insulation and more efficient A/C units.

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

Saturday, September 14 • 8 am to 1 pm

Fall Plant Sale

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. Check out our seasonal offerings including artichokes, purple tree collards, elderberry, broccoli, kale, tatsoi, brussel sprouts, cabbage, lettuce and much more! 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.

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. This is a rain or shine event. No registration required, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis at each class location.

Class Schedule

Mini Classes

Meet on Herb Forest Deck

9:00–9:45 am Basics of Drip Irrigation for Your Garden with Shannon Hardwicke, Soil Born Farms
10:00–10:45 am Fall Gardening in Raised Beds & Containers with Shannon Hardwicke, Soil Born Farms
11:00–11:45 am Choosing the Best Fruit Trees for Your Home Garden with Liz Steiner, Soil Born Farms

Tours, Walks & Talks

Special Event: SacValley Native Plant Society Meet & Greet

“Meet” the plants! This is a chance to preview most of the plants we’ll have for sale during our Online Plant Sale. Also “Meet” experienced Native Plant gardeners who can answer your native plant questions. “Greet” California Biodiversity Day! Using iNaturalist, record and share the biodiversity of the plants offered in our native plant nursery and the plants & wildlife in the SacValley CNPS Demonstration Gardens. Garden Descriptions Questions? Email: plantsale@sacvalleycnps.org

Highlights

Open Air Produce Stand

Farmhouse Kitchen Pop-up Brunch
9am-1pm (or until sold out)
Proceeds Benefit the Culinary Arts Program

Live Music with Jon Merriman in the Outdoor Theater
Enjoy the classic tunes with a cup of Pachamama coffee and local baked goods available at Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar.

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.