Sweet Stories 2024

Last spring, the SBF team planted three Black Beauty mulberry trees in the orchard. The almanacs forecasted their first summer would be a scorcher. So, we got to work tending the soil: a generous layer of Johnson-Su enhanced compost, a few rounds of compost tea packed with beneficial microbes, and a thick blanket of arborist wood chips to preserve moisture.
Sure enough, day after smoldering day, triple-digit temperatures flared through the valley. Despite our preparations, one of the little mulberries started to struggle. Its leaves curled, branches went crispy, and finally, its last leaf fell. It was a disheartening moment, and we questioned if the changing climate had outpaced our best practices.
While we were fretting above ground, something spectacular was happening under our feet. Below the mulch, a stealthy network of mycorrhizal fungi deployed. Tiny, thread-like tendrils knitted themselves through the sapling’s roots, drawing water and stockpiling nutrients for its stressed system.
We thought the tree was lost, but then— a marvel. New leaf buds appeared at the branch tips. Life sprang back from what felt like the brink. Watching this unfold, we appreciated that efforts to steward the soil truly make a difference— it’s a vital entity, capable of generating astonishing resilience. The regenerative powers of a healthy soil ecosystem truly are a wonder.
~Liz Steiner, Farmer and Orchardist

This year, I have been so blessed to be a part of the Soil Born Farms staff and community. I’ve never felt more at home. As 2024 began, I was on maternity leave and had the rare opportunity to experience Saturdays at the Farm as a guest. Sitting by the fire, talking to others, building deeper relationships, learning from other parents, shopping and enjoying the site from a customer’s perspective was an amazing experience. I was thrilled to see the community embrace me as a new mother and show so much love towards my bundle of joy. My daughter became known as “Farm Baby” and my heart sang with the birds. In the office, my wonderful co-workers all treat her so kindly and shower her with love and attention. I love that my daughter is loved by so many fantastic people. I know this love and support will help her develop a strong love and appreciation for herself, the community and the natural world. What a dream to work and live among such an open hearted community. Now when I arrive at the farm, I see even more beauty. It is like I have new eyes. The beauty of the production field, the youth garden, the greenhouse, the busy kitchen patio, and all the other nooks and learning spaces can bring me to tears with awe and joy that I have never felt before. This land is magical and the staff and community who come out to experience it and support it are extraordinary. I feel lucky to be here everyday.
~Vanessa Forwood, Community Relations and Development Manager

Sitting down to write a sweet story is such a hard thing to do because everything about this farm is magical. From the mission and goals to create a community centered around local food systems, which supports, maintains, and strengthens the ecological landscape, and invests in healthy minds and bodies, to the visitors who come from near and far to be a part of this diverse community. Our sponsors and community partners, the students we see in our Youth Education programming— all of it provides me with a sense of purpose that I have not felt this deeply before. It is the investment that I make to this farm along the American River that has given me a sense of peace and fulfillment that I never experienced teaching in brick and mortar schools. To have an “office” that is this beautiful and to have a job that offers not only a wide variety of duties, all of which I am passionate about, but to do the work with people that I truly care about is amazing. The staff at the farm LOVE what they do and their happiness radiates to all who come in contact. It is infectious. In fact, time after time, students who come to farm feel that energy and see the beauty of this place and that magic transfers. Many leave with the words “I want to be a farmer” coming out of their mouths and they are sincere. Perhaps they will farm on a large or small scale one day but even if they don’t, I know they will in some way shape the environmental fabric of this world all because of their heartfelt connection to this place and all its’ gifted and dedicated staff. ~Amy Tackett, Youth Educator

This is my first year as the Farm Manager here at Soil Born and to say that the year has been a bit of a blur is the biggest understatement. Thinking back to this year, I know there were many special moments, funny times, exhilarating success, and demoralizing failures; however, the one constant through this year, and the thing that got me through all the challenges, has been the farm team.

The farm team is an eclectic group of folks, with wildly different stories and experiences but have come together to be the most special group of people I have ever been fortunate enough to find myself in the company of. No matter how much pressure I am under, they can make me laugh and find calm. I have complete confidence in their ability to accomplish anything that needs to happen and pivot with me without batting an eye. Starting with Emily in the greenhouse turning out amazing plant starts, with supreme attention to detail; Tom Efstratis partnering with the kitchen and making the sales happen; Stuart bringing the excitement of crop varieties to the Market Garden and my go to for talking out ideas and plans; Liz blowing it out of the water in her first year managing the orchard and the efforts to breathe new life into the orchards, both old and new; Hilary joining the team with a smile and immediately feeling like an old friend uplifting the spirits of the whole team as she learns and grows at an unparalleled level; and finally the volunteers and interns that have accepted any challenge and were vital to so much progress in our push to shift to a low-till regenerative system. The unity of the farm team has been my anchor and such a bright spot in my life as I learn the ropes of farm management.
~Thomas Lyons, Farmer Manager

For much of 2024, our farm team transplanted as many as 13,000 plant seedlings a week – by hand. The farmers arduously alternated between bending over, squating and crawling on their hands and knees, until all beds were fully planted. However, three months ago, transplanting was made easier with the acquisition of a “paper pot” transplanting system. Many of the lettuce varieties are now seeded into a chain of paper cells with a vacuum powered seeder. In the fields, one farmer pulls a special transplanting contraption down each row that digs a trench, buries the seedling chain and tucks the plants in, all from a standing position and in a fraction of the time as hand planting. I am excited for the potential of this efficient and time saving tool for the coming years to grow more lettuce for school salad bars, for our community’s dinner tables and to ease the work of the dedicated farmers.
~Emily Hain, Greenhouse & Fruit Tree Nursery Manager

I’ve been at Soil Born Farms for a few months now as a youth educator and those few months have been full of joy, wonder, and curiosity as I’ve gotten to lead field trips, camps, and Saturday classes. At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, we had a kinder class from a nearby elementary school attend on a field trip. As the students were exploring the hardening-off area, I asked the students, “What are some things plants need to grow?” A student raised his hand and said, “Plants need water, air, soil, and love!” He then gently grabbed a leaf from one of the plants next to him and gave it a kiss. This moment made me remember that fostering a sense of care for plants and our environment can start at any age. My heart fills with joy every time I get to see students discover the different ways plants and humans are connected. I love being able to experience how our youth programs impact students in real time as they get to try new fruits and vegetables, plant seedlings in the garden, and come back on Saturdays with their families to see how their hard work has grown into beautiful plants.
~Kianni Ledezma, Youth Educator

One of the highlights for me about working on the farm is my commute to work, which consists of a ~30 minute morning ride, mostly along the beautiful American River Parkway’s meandering bike trail; I listen to music on headphones, watch the waking parkway as birds and critters both large and small start their days and go about their critter business. Just today I saw two large bucks at various points along the trail, milling about in the tall grass. One critter of special significance to me is the coyote, which seems to me to be one of the rarer-seen creatures on my rides, and thus all the more special when they do cross my path. I’ve come to regard them as a good omen for the day ahead and always keep a sharp eye out for them; working on the farm has brought me closer to the nature with which I’ve lived in close proximity for much of my life now.
~Alex Hopkins, Admin & Operations Assistant

Although I am fairly new to the Soil Born team, I feel grateful to say my time here has been riddled with sweet stories. One that I recall often was from my time spent with our Youth Education team. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to join our educators on a few of their field trips over the spring and got to spend some time with some super rad kids. For this particular field trip, the class was split into two groups for their farm tour. After our group finished the tour, we had a few extra minutes before it was time to meet up with the other group for more activities. One of our fantastic youth educators, Kianni, sat the kids around Sacred Circle and got their attention by telling a few farm related jokes. After that, Kianni opened the floor up for the kids to tell some jokes of their own. Almost all of the kid’s jokes were absurd and made absolutely no sense but the laughter that was created was infectious. The rest of my afternoon was enlivened by how silly my group’s jokes had been and how much those kids loved being able to make their peers laugh. I think back on this memory regularly and I’m reminded about how important it is to giggle and be goofy and share that with our community.
~Mary Hopkins, Prep Cook & Operations Assistant

Having started my journey on the farm during the pandemic, this past year I’ve really seen just how much Soil Born means to the community. With increasing visitors on Saturdays, additional field trip visits during the week, and an awesome Summer Solstice event, it’s inspiring to look back at the year and see how supported and valued this space truly is. The beautiful energy everyone seems to bring to the farm is just incredible and even as we head into the slow season, somehow everything feels more alive.
I’m equally amazed at what we’ve managed to accomplish during this time, despite the challenges we’ve faced, along with all the projects currently in motion and on the horizon. The groundwork has been laid for some very exciting things to come, so while I treasure this time to look back and reflect on our achievements, my excitement and anticipation for 2025 keep me looking ahead to the legacy we’re all helping create.
~Jessica Pollock, Financial Manager

A crowd of students gathered around me, waving pieces of their freshly baked focaccia and begging for me to taste it. This excitement all started with a playful nickname: “Nolan Ramsay.”

Magical sounds on the farm become amplified on evening winter walks when darkness settles in early on the farm and dense winter fog blankets the land. Recently on one of these walks when I could barely see beyond my footsteps, the tell-tale call of a mallard duck cut through the night. A knowing smile came to my face and instantly my cup that the day’s challenges had emptied was refilled. This mallard was settling into one of the ponds for the night. The very same ponds that busy beavers have carved into the restored creek running through the middle of the farm that just nine short years ago was a trash filled cement ditch.
~Shawn Harrison, Founder & Co-Director

I love the health benefits of vegetables and I love inspiring children of all ages to eat them. Alice Waters once told me that studies have shown that when babies and children are introduced to organic fruit, vegetables and delicious whole foods when they are young, that this literally plants seeds in cell memory for a lifetime healthy eating and stimulates a natural desire for fresh, wholesome food. Even if there are temporary periods when they might succumb to marketing and peer pressure for junk food. If their bodies are introduced to good food when they are young, chances are excellent that they will return to healthy eating in early adulthood and teach their children the same.

As a kid, I remember the most influential message I ever followed about eating vegetables was from Popeye because I liked the cartoon and I thought girls could be strong too. I know that getting kids (and even some adults) to eat vegetables opens a whole other “can of spinach” often with negative associations. At Soil Born Farms we set out to establish fun and positive memories for little ones about fresh produce. We want to make shopping a delightful sensory experience that they can be involved with to inspire healthy eating from the beginning. Many parents use the time-tested way to get their kids to love vegetables by involving them in choosing, growing, harvesting and preparing veggies. It warms my heart to hear parents asking their toddlers, “Do you want broccoli or spinach for dinner? ” and then watching the enthusiastic toddler point and say…spinach!!!
~Janet Zeller, Founder & Co-Director

After yet another great year the winter provides time and space for reflection, and gratitude. This season has given me such a great opportunity to get to know a few volunteers a little deeper. The stories they share bring me joy, laughter, sometimes heart ache, but always a sense of collective action, and a greater potential for a better future.

The gratitude that I feel for being able to host volunteers and members of the public on this great swath of property is immeasurable. It keeps me pushing through the hot hot days of summer, or the cold dark mornings of the winter. So here’s to the inspirational volunteers I get the honor of hosting. Thank you!
~Stuart Burke-Jones, Gardens & Volunteer Coordinator

Soil Born Farms has been working tirelessly to create a place that people of all ages and experiences feel at home and have a space to connect with others and the land. On a recent fall afternoon I was able to see this vision coming to fruition. While standing in front of the office, I observed teens sitting on the front porch, comfortably chatting. A class from Cordova High was out in the field gleaning the end of the season Basil. The smell of the herb was strong in the air and the students’ excited voices were floating up to the office. Our teen interns walked up from the field to start their afternoon session, seemingly happy and at home. The Ag teacher expressed her gratitude to have a space to relax and connect with students more organically. It was amazing to feel the joy and peace, look out at the beauty of the fall afternoon and recognize that this piece of land is offering healing, peace and connection.
~Shannon Hardwicke, Education Programs Manager

The farm is grateful to have many returning customers, one in particular who I can’t recall has missed a Saturday in the past 4 years I’ve been at Soil Born. A retired teacher of the arts, her colorful attire as distinct as her presence. Every week she visits our teen crew over at the Farmhouse Kitchen. With a sweet smile, and soft voice she asks them “Tell me something about your life right now.” And each week, the teens come up with something new—some happy, some heavy. They share college acceptances, breakups, new clothes, and small moments of growth. She listens intently, offering a few words of wisdom, encouragement or simply a kind embrace. The exchange between her and the teens is one of understanding, a bridge spanning generations through simple, meaningful exchanges. The farm, with its rhythm of planting and harvest, has become a place not just for growing great produce, but for young people to learn, reflect, and find guidance in unexpected places.
~Gina Marraccini, Chef Educator

After just one year at Soil Born Farms, I’ve collected too many sweet stories to choose from! Every interaction is rooted in good food, community, and kindness. This year, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed organizing events like Family Night on the Farm. We transformed the farm into a fair-like atmosphere, complete with every game imaginable, delicious burgers and drinks, and live music. Even though I was “working,” it felt like I was celebrating with the community and my coworkers all night.

Of course, every great party has a bit of mischief, so when the traffic slowed down, the teens and I had fun taking silly selfies on the tablet and laughing together while we worked. It was truly living the dream — and living the mission. Our mission statement is more than just words; it’s a practice and intention that guides our work. While many organizations claim to follow similar principles, Soil Born Farms’ approach is genuinely inspiring and unmatched, and the ripple effect of that impact is felt by many, myself included.
~Mace Clinkenbeard, Operations Coordinator

It’s coming up on two years since I became a member of Soil Born Farms staff, no, family would be the more fitting word. My association with the farm started when my son’s scout troop volunteered for Harvest Sacramento, picking fruits donated by homeowners for distribution to food banks. Impressed by the dedication and obvious joy that the farm staff displayed as they went about their assignments, I too wanted to be part of this wonderful organization. I became a volunteer, and after retiring, took a part time position as the greenhouse assistant. A lot of my time is spent seeding and tending to the seedlings while listening to the joyful shrieks of children playing in the garden interspersed with the sound of the tractor preparing beds for planting. In addition to personal time commitment, I was also able to involve the Rotary clubs of American River and Rancho Cordova in supporting the mission of Soil Born Farms. With the aid of Rotary grants and Rotarians, a chicken run was built in the youth garden, a citrus grove was planted to honor “friends past and present” and work is underway to build a new germination chamber for the greenhouse. I feel honored and grateful to be given the opportunity to participate in the vision of Soil Born Farms to “connect food, health and the environment”.
~George Abraham, Greenhouse Assistant

Soil Born Farms is a very special place. The vision this organization has for its local community and ecosystem is truly inspiring. It has been a privilege to watch Soil Born grow and see the impact that growth has had on the community. When you set foot on the farm you really get a sense of the collective hard work of a team that believes in what they are doing. All these things make Soil Born Farms a magical organization to be a part of. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this place!
~Steven Marraccini, Operations Coordinator
 

Although I am relatively new as a staff member with Soil Born, I have a long history with the farm going all the way back to the original farm on Hurley Way! It’s so special to me that I have had the good fortune to be close to the farm through the last two (plus) decades and to have witnessed the evolution of this amazing organization.

I so appreciate that this place exists and I want to appreciate the founders/co-directors for the love and care that they have invested here to build this lovely community resource and place that enriches both land and people. Thank you Shawn and Janet!
~Stacie Larkin, Coordinator

The apple tree I bought from Soil Born was in a barrel for last three years as my plan was to take it with me to a new place with good backyard, the tree was finally planted in the ground on the day we moved to our new property, it started flowers right away and Aum Shri Ganesha! We tasted our first harvest. Soil Born is my family and I love waking up early in the morning Saturday to see beautiful people here who share great energy, positivity and good vibes. I may or may not have directly worked together with everyone but as a part of Soil Born , I feel proud how this farm shapes and supports all areas of the community. It enhances learning opportunities for kids, organic produce is the best choice for health, a good Saturday fun activity with snack bar and live music to enjoy, different kinds of classes for nature lovers, volunteering opportunities, familiarizing newcomers the importance of nature care, summer camps for kids, Freshly prepared soups and salads from our own kitchen.Soil Born does cover a wide range of things that are so directly related in the betterment of the society. The crowd of the people on Saturdays reflect how they love and appreciate this place .
Clear intentions are like magnetism , it attracts more energy and good vibes.
~Shobha Giri-Thomas, Saturday Crew

This year, the Farmhouse Kitchen feels more supported than ever before. Our tiny but mighty team has grown stronger, more connected, and the sense of community has never been more vibrant. Some of our team members are experienced cooks, long time volunteers eager to lend a hand and others are newcomers wanting to learn more, but we all share a love for wholesome, homegrown food. Each week, our team works together side by side to turn the farm’s bounty into delicious and nourishing meals for the community. I am grateful for the constant hum of laughter and chatter, sharing stories and making memories. The kitchen is not just a workplace; it is a sanctuary where everyone feels welcome. People wander in throughout the day to catch up, ask what was cooking, or simply enjoy the warmth of the space for a bit. For me it is not just about working in the kitchen—it is about being part of something bigger. A family, a community, and a farm that, through hard work and care, nourishes not only our bodies but our souls. The kitchen isn’t just where food is made—it’s where friendships are formed, stories are shared, and the spirit of community thrives. This year, it truly feels like the heart of the farm.
~Michelle Sikora, Nutrition Coordinator

This being my fourth winter at Soil Born Farms, I have experienced so many magical moments and or times that have stayed with me throughout the seasons. From watching the Raptors and Herons hunting rodents to Coyotes jumping for joy throughout the fields because they had come across an easy lunch. Whatever task is in front of me at any time I can pause, pick my head up and enjoy the teeming wildlife and diverse bio ecosystem that exist here at Soil Born.

My first month on the farm which would have been in April ‘21 we were harvesting parsley and I had somehow brought up and or questioning the presence of Rattlesnakes on the farm. No later than a half dozen bunches later I was reaching for a stem of parsley to complete my bunch and grazed the back of a baby rattlesnake that had been curled up in the roots of the parsley that I had been harvesting from. It wasn’t aggressive at all, of course it was a close call, but even as I jolted back the baby rattlesnake stayed docile and was just out to feel the warmth of the black bed cover it laid in. We shortly relocated the baby rattlesnake and were back to harvesting.

Speaking things into existence comes much easier here on the farm. It is a magical place and is directly related to the cumulative love and work that has been poured into the property over multiple seasons. Interactions and moments experienced are vivid reminders of how alive and intertwined everything is here at Soil Born Farms.
~Tom Efstratis, Farmer, Account Manager & Cook

Even though I’ve only been working on the youth education team for about three months now, I’ve been able to collect so many sweet stories already! One moment that I still think about is in November, we (youth ed team and students) walked all the way down to Cordova Creek for one of our exploration field trips. The kids were really excited as if they were going on a big grand expedition through a wild forest. As we were walking through the coyote bush we had discovered a deer leg under one of the bushes that a furry friend was saving as a snack for later. Each kid got to take a close look at the leg and although they were a bit freaked out by it at first, they were able to eventually understand that the coyotes were intentionally saving food for themselves and that nature was doing what nature does.

We walked down a bit more and eventually found ourselves under the 300+ year old wisdom oak tree. Noticing the carvings humans had left on it, one of them asked “why would someone cut into the tree?” After explaining that perhaps people who carved into it didnt know that cutting a tree can lead to it getting infected like an open wound, one of the kids proceeds to hug the tree and says “trees are for hugging not cutting” followed by the entire class going up and also giving it a big hug. As an educator it is incredibly important for me that students have the dignity within themselves to be able to become their own leaders and encourage each other to connect with the land surrounding them. It reminded me that the kids that we have the honor of hosting every week have such a innocent and wholesome view of our world, and the knowledge that they retain from the field trips carries over into the rest of their lives until they can one day teach kids who were once their age that our relationship with nature is supposed to be nurtured and cared for, not destroyed.
~Uriel Florez, Youth Education Apprentice

When I had my first interview for Soil Born, I was under a tall redwood tree in the rain. My working interview also took place during a chilly, rainy morning. On my first day I learned about folding giant occultation tarps, the wind began to gust. The Summer slid in after a brief Spring. I worked with the Farm Team through day upon day of hot weather. No matter the weather, the Farm Team works out in it,with it. The connection to the conditions and temperatures are strong, which really create a bond with the land. “Let’s get to know one another.” the land says to me. Absolutely some times are more difficult than others, simply because what the Earth deals us from their cosmic deck. It seems, though, that everyone on the Farm Team embraces the circumstances and still has the ability to laugh through and work hard whether it is 40° or 103°.

My sweet story is being out in it, with people who also want to be out in it.
~Hilary, Farmer