The Farmers:
Redwood Empire Farm was started by Jeff Russell following his graduation from Fresno State University where he received a B.S. degree in Plant Science and helped found the University's now flourishing organic program. Although already well-versed in the language and practices of conventional, large-scale agriculture, Jeff started his farm with the intention of proving that organic and sustainable farming can be more productive and profitable than conventional farming. Over the years, he has a developed a system that is entirely organic, uses very low water, and produces great yields of virtually perfect produce, with little to no waste.
Ariel Dillon Russell joined Jeff on his farm when the two met in 2007. Raised on a small farm west of Petaluma, she was an avid gardener, cook, lover of the land, and, most importantly, really hard worker. Although she lacks Jeff's formal plant science background, she finds ways to integrate her own education into the workings of the farm. She graduated summa cum laude from Santa Clara University with a degree in Political Science and an additional major in Ancient Studies. Her passion for the humanities guarantees that the farm is always firmly embedded in the realities of the world - past, present, and future - and strives to make our world, local and distant, a better place.
Together, Jeff and Ariel make a great team - farmer and philosopher, scientist and scholar, husband and wife. They have fun doing what they do, at least most of the time, and can't wait to keep growing the best food for which anyone could ask.
Ariel Dillon Russell joined Jeff on his farm when the two met in 2007. Raised on a small farm west of Petaluma, she was an avid gardener, cook, lover of the land, and, most importantly, really hard worker. Although she lacks Jeff's formal plant science background, she finds ways to integrate her own education into the workings of the farm. She graduated summa cum laude from Santa Clara University with a degree in Political Science and an additional major in Ancient Studies. Her passion for the humanities guarantees that the farm is always firmly embedded in the realities of the world - past, present, and future - and strives to make our world, local and distant, a better place.
Together, Jeff and Ariel make a great team - farmer and philosopher, scientist and scholar, husband and wife. They have fun doing what they do, at least most of the time, and can't wait to keep growing the best food for which anyone could ask.
The Land:
The Baldi Store in its heyday.
Jeff started Redwood Empire Farm on property owned by his great-aunt in Rincon Valley, Santa Rosa. Originally a prune orchard, the property was purchased by the family of owners in the early 1900s and was diversified with a variety of other fruit trees. Some of the trees are unique, antique varieties and were likely purchased at Luther Burbank's historical nursery, which thrived in Santa Rosa during the early twentieth century. In its heydey, the property was also home to the Baldi Store, one of the last commercial outposts between Santa Rosa and Sonoma.
Many of the original fruit trees are still productive and are harvested and sold by Redwood Empire Farm. Among the antique treasures are French Prunes, including Luther Burbank's prized Imperial Prune, as well as numerous varieties of apples that are relics of a time past where fresh eating qualities were most valued.
The modern farm, consisting of row crops and poultry, grows in the midst of the orchard and in adjoining pastures. As the vegetables and chickens are tended, the fruit trees also breathe in new life and vigor. The harmony between the orchard, the row crops, and the animals fosters a diverse ecosystem that is almost entirely sustainable. Chickens moving through the pastures and frequent cover-cropping keep the land's fertility high, making possible bountiful harvests of amazingly beautiful and delicious fruits and veggies.
The farm is now a rural haven in the midst of urban Santa Rosa. Bordered on one side by Hwy 12 and on the others by residential houses, Redwood Empire Farm now offers its neighbors the opportunity to eat food as local as if they'd grown it in their own backyards.
In 2010, Jeff and Ariel expanded their farm to include three acres of pristine, formerly virgin farmland at the Kick Ranch, which is mere minutes away from the original farm in Rincon Valley, Santa Rosa. The Kick Ranch is a sustainable vineyard that specializes in growing high quality grapes, which are sought out by many of the most prestigious and well-known winemakers in the Sonoma Wine Country. Working with the vineyard owners, Dick and Kathy Keenan, and vineyard management team, Bacchus Vineyard Management, Jeff and Ariel have been able to increase their own production as well as improve the biodiversity of the vineyard as a whole by acting as a productive insectary. The "Veggie Block" at the Kick Ranch has indeed proven that vineyards and row crops can be entirely complementary here in Sonoma County!
Many of the original fruit trees are still productive and are harvested and sold by Redwood Empire Farm. Among the antique treasures are French Prunes, including Luther Burbank's prized Imperial Prune, as well as numerous varieties of apples that are relics of a time past where fresh eating qualities were most valued.
The modern farm, consisting of row crops and poultry, grows in the midst of the orchard and in adjoining pastures. As the vegetables and chickens are tended, the fruit trees also breathe in new life and vigor. The harmony between the orchard, the row crops, and the animals fosters a diverse ecosystem that is almost entirely sustainable. Chickens moving through the pastures and frequent cover-cropping keep the land's fertility high, making possible bountiful harvests of amazingly beautiful and delicious fruits and veggies.
The farm is now a rural haven in the midst of urban Santa Rosa. Bordered on one side by Hwy 12 and on the others by residential houses, Redwood Empire Farm now offers its neighbors the opportunity to eat food as local as if they'd grown it in their own backyards.
In 2010, Jeff and Ariel expanded their farm to include three acres of pristine, formerly virgin farmland at the Kick Ranch, which is mere minutes away from the original farm in Rincon Valley, Santa Rosa. The Kick Ranch is a sustainable vineyard that specializes in growing high quality grapes, which are sought out by many of the most prestigious and well-known winemakers in the Sonoma Wine Country. Working with the vineyard owners, Dick and Kathy Keenan, and vineyard management team, Bacchus Vineyard Management, Jeff and Ariel have been able to increase their own production as well as improve the biodiversity of the vineyard as a whole by acting as a productive insectary. The "Veggie Block" at the Kick Ranch has indeed proven that vineyards and row crops can be entirely complementary here in Sonoma County!
