Uncategorized

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 December 4

Order Online: Tues., December 5 from 5pm through Thurs., December 7 at 9am
Prescheduled Order Pickup: Sat., December 9 between 8am and 1:00pm
Note: Our services may be limited during storms. Check the website or social media for updates.

Stress-Free Holiday 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. Start your holiday shopping early and check out the local, unique 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. Don’t miss our next Pop Up Holiday Brunch on Dec. 16. Proceeds benefit the Culinary Arts Program.

Greenhouse Garden Shop & Fruit Tree Nursery

The moist soil and cooler temperatures that fall brings makes it the perfect time to plant fruit trees. The conditions are less stressful on young trees and provide the perfect environment for root establishment over winter. Fruit trees are long-term investments which provide both nutritious food each year and beauty to any garden. Our fruit trees can be pruned to fit the space limitations of your garden and are bred for easier care and harvest. Trees are on sale for only $34.99 each. Fruit trees are a thoughtful, practical gift that keeps on giving. Shop for trees and supplies for successful planting at the Online Marketplace or visit the Greenhouse Garden Shop & Fruit Tree Nursery Saturdays 8am to 1pm through December 16.

We have selected varieties that grow well in our region:

• Fig: Mission Black, Brown Turkey
• Pear: Comice, Warren
• Persimmon: Coffeecake
• Pluot: Dapple Supreme

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.

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

Special Summer Program

Through experiential learning, discovery and play, youth will deepen their connection to food, health and the environment. Participants will explore, create, learn, sing and enjoy the outdoors. Kids on the Farm classes are designed for youth ages 7 to 11 years old. Each themed class will be unique and can be enjoyed as individual classes or taken as a series.

Thursdays from June 24 through July 29, 8:30 to 11:30 am. Price: $30 per class.

For more information and to register >>

June 24: Pollinator Palooza
July 1: We Dig Dirt
July 8: Roots, Shoots and Seeds
July 15: Nature Creations
July 22: Calling All Critters
July 29: Water Wizards

Pop-Up Online Organic Plant Sale

Our May Day online pop-up event SOLD OUT in record time, thank you all for your enthusiasm and support! Watch for details about our next online sale, a pop-up for Mother’s Day, which will be accepting orders on Wednesday, May 6 with drive-through order pickup on Friday, May 8… In the meantime, you can browse the marketplace to view the goods. We will be adding more gift items this week.

REMINDER for people with orders that were placed this week: Drive-through order pick-up will take place on this Friday, May 1.*

Customer Service: info@soilborn.org

American River Ranch, 2140 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670.

*Please note: The farm is closed to the public until further notice so you will need to stay in your cars and we will load your purchases. Wear face coverings, bring your own gloves and maintain social distance. Only people who have ordered plants in advance will have access. Arrive at your scheduled pick-up time to avoid waiting.

Victory Gardens Making a Comeback in 2020

“Growing your own food is like printing your own money” ~Ron Finley

Soil Born Farms has been inspiring and teaching families to grow some of their own food and herbs since 2000. One of the original objectives of Victory Gardens that started during World War I applies to the current challenge we face today— “to maintain the vitality and morale of Americans on the home front through the production of nutritious vegetables outdoors.” We know that spending time in nature and getting our hands in the soil goes a long way to reduce anxiety and boost our immune system. Nothing beats the flavor or nutritional value of food straight from the garden. Let’s get growing!

As we prioritize health and safety guidelines currently in place at the farm we are thrilled to offer collections of organic starts of vegetables, herbs and flowers and fruit trees to create a victory garden or add to your home garden, patio, backyard orchard or urban farm. We’ve selected varieties that do well in our climate. The Greenhouse Garden Shop is a micro business that grows healthy seedlings for the farm, school gardens, community gardens and home gardens while engaging youth and adults in the process. The greenhouse and fruit tree nursery are important components of our Grow Your Groceries and Harvest Sacramento programs. Proceeds benefit SBF education programs.

Our Farmstand, all classes and events are on hold at the moment… Please check back as we are monitoring the COVID-19 guidelines for re-opening services and responding accordingly.

Thank you for Attending our 17th Annual Fundraiser

Thank you for your generous support of our Autumn Equinox Celebration! The event is a labor of love with many wonderful people and organizations collaborating to make it happen. We are grateful for the support we receive to restore and develop the historic American River Ranch. It is a community treasure filled with possibilities that we are proud to make accessible to the public.

Please stay involved with Soil Born Farms. We rely on your generous donations of time and money to help us grow organic food, feed families, educate youth and adults, train new farmers and gardeners, inspire healthy living and create a regional center for food, health and the environment. Together we can make a difference and improve the quality of life in our community.
View event photos by Joan Cusick and Brian B. Fox >>

Many thanks to our event partners, title sponsor and underwriters:

Sign-up for the Fall/Winter Season

As a Soil Born Farms CSA member, the impact of your dollars goes beyond putting healthy, organic, delicious food on your table. This investment in Soil Born Farms allows you to reconnect with the land, know your farmers and participate directly in a local food system. In addition, you provide valuable support for innovative education programs, food access initiatives and the development of our nonprofit community farm and education center. You can choose to receive a CSA farm box every week or every other week. Sign up by phone with Kara, 916-363-9685 Ext. 1005. For more info >>

Thunderstorms Projected for Sunday, We are Heeding Mother Nature

A Day on the Farm is an important fundraiser for Soil Born Farms and a beloved regional event for our community. Despite these realities, incurred costs and months of planning, the safety and enjoyment of our guests is paramount.

The American River Ranch is absolutely beautiful right now so please join us for Saturdays at the Farm every week from 9am-1pm for farm fresh produce, live music and activities.

A special thanks to our sponsors, musicians, community partners and volunteers who are committed to this event.

Please consider this a rain check and we will keep you posted on the rescheduled date. We hope you will join us to eat, learn & celebrate on a sunny day on the farm soon.

Thank you for your understanding and support,

With love from all of us at Soil Born Farms

Many thanks to our event sponsors: