Trees of Life Farm

People

Rachel Stauffer, along with helpful friends and occasional part-time employees

Farmland

10 acres in Occidental, Sonoma County, about 75 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

About

Rachel grew up immersed in nature, among family members who were avid gardeners and farmers. As an adult, she worked at the UCSF Medical Center for over 30 years. She frequented the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, and her interest in food and land stewardship grew. In 2010, she started Trees of Life in Sonoma County, drawn to the plot’s biodiversity and potential for growing fruit.

Rachel’s farming philosophy, partly informed by permaculture and  an Ecological Farming course, is to work with, not against, the climate and landscape of the farm. For instance, instead of altering the environment to make it less hospitable to local fox, bobcats, hawks and other wildlife, the farm is designed around their presence. She found her land and its Goldridge soil to be suitable for growing apples. Apples were historically grown in the Goldridge soils in the area, and Rachel wanted to offer special heirloom varieties that people used to grow in their backyards. In addition to 40 varieties of apples, Rachel also has Asian pears, quince, persimmons, and small amounts of other tree fruit.

Certification

California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)