About us

 Ridgewood Ranch

   Situated on Ridgewood Ranch, in Willits California, The Golden Rule Garden is responsible for growing fresh food for the ranch community. The Ranch is host to an intentional christian community whose mission is to practice the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. With goals of community building and sustainability we subsistence farm on about 1.5 acres, with plans to expand! We also have an orchard containing 50 year old apple and pear trees. 

   The Ranch is also home to many non-profits, small businesses, and schools! We strive to promote our community by being a supportive place for self starters and grass-roots movements to thrive.

The Garden

   The Golden Rule garden has been growing food organically for over 40 years, has hosted interns from all over the world, and continues to nourish the minds and bodies of those who come in contact with it! Today we grow our food according to the bio-dynamic calendar, which is a way to plant with the lunar and planetary rhythms to ensure the best growth of our food. Additionally we practice bio-intensive farming methods, which involves building our own compost, saving our own seeds, and using no till cultivation methods. 

Meet Our Farmers 

Gettin' their hands in the dirt early 

   Kayla and Dimitri are the resident farmers of the Golden Rule Garden! The couple first discovered the ranch when they choose to attend the School of Adaptive Agriculture* on Ridgewood Ranch. It was here where they were introduced to farmers all across Mendocino and Lake County and found their love for the land.

   After graduating from the School of Adaptive Agriculture in 2017, they began their internship in the Golden Rule Garden. Working closely with the garden manager they learned how to subsistence farm organically, biodynamically, and biointesively for the RR community. A year later they have stepped into the garden management role and are now full time community members.

Kayla 

   Grew up in Santa Clarita Valley just outside of LA. In her free time she loves to paint, try new crafts, going on hikes, and investing her time in learning about wild crafting. Kayla has been interested in land stewardship from a young age, as her grandfather worked for the local schools caring for the grounds. As she grew up she aspired to grow her own food and close the loop between the farmer and the table. Her favorite part of farming is harvesting and youth education and outreach. Kayla's advice for anyone interested in farming is to just get your hands in the soil, the best way to learn is by doing.

"You're braver than you believe and stronger and smarter than you think."
- Winnie the Pooh 

Dimitri

   Also grew up in Santa Clarita Valley outside of the city of LA. In his free time he loves to play soccer, read, cook, and explore the outdoors. Dimtiri's love for farming evolved over time, starting with his family's roots in agriculture in indigenous Guatemala. As he got older punk rock music and his interest in self optimization led him down the rabbit hole of eating healthy and growing his own food. Hearing stories of the magic of the land and eating fruit right off the trees sparked his passion for chemical free and sustainable food production. Dimitri continues to farm as a way to connect with his best self and make a positive impact on his community at large. His favorite part of farming is pushing his boundaries every day by conquering his goals and overcoming the physical demand of farming in Northern California. Dimitri's advice for anyone interested in farming is to take a leap of faith and just do it, if you're interested in farming, you're already half way there and the world needs you.

"By idolizing those whom we honor we do a disservice both to them and to ourselves by failing to realize that we can go and do likewise."
- Charles V. Willie

*https://www.school-of-adaptive-agriculture.org/