Regenerate the Health of Ventura County
Empowering farmers and restoring 316,000+ acres of farmland in Ventura County, California through regenerative organic agriculture.
Together, Rodale Institute, Patagonia, and the California Department of Agriculture are working to restore the health of 316,000+ acres of farmland in Ventura County, California through the adoption of regenerative organic farming methods.
About the Program
Through strategic programming and partnerships, we are supporting Ventura County farmers through regenerative organic transition by providing comprehensive technical assistance and access to wrap around services, financial aid and research on ecological farming practices and economical alternatives to pesticides.
Through this program we aim to reach 100% of all BIPOC farmers and 50% of the general farmer population in Ventura County as we journey to transition up to 316,000 acres to using regenerative organic farming practices. We are dedicated to the hardworking and diverse group of farmers who care for this land, and for the community that lives alongside it and is nourished from it every single day.
Why Ventura County?
Ventura County is one of the most important agriculture communities in the United States, yet—according to the Environmental Working Group—more than 32 million pounds of toxic pesticides were used on farm fields in the county between 2015 – 2022.
We aim to reverse this trend by facilitating a shift to practical, chemical-free practices that sustain the health of the land and the people who farm it.
How We Support Farmers
Our Impact
-
Up to $60,000 available per farm for materials and equipment
-
97 farms actively transitioning or committed to transition to organic
Testimonials
Juan, family farm owner, California
“I decided to become an organic farmer because I believe in growing clean, healthy food while taking care of the land. It’s not always easy, but it’s something I truly love doing. Rodale Institute has played a big part in my journey. They’ve helped me with paperwork, guided me through the process of starting and managing my business, and have connected me with buyers to sell my produce. Beyond that, they continue to help other small farmers like myself grow and succeed. It’s people and organizations like Rodale that make it possible for small farmers to keep doing what we love working the land, feeding our communities, and building a better future through sustainable farming.”
–Juan, family farm owner, California (currently transitioning to organic)
Sierra Doehr, Executive Director, Saticoy Food Hub
“At Saticoy Food Hub, our decision to support organic farmers really comes down to people and the planet. Organic practices protect farmers (all dimensions, holistically speaking), rebuild soil health, and keep harmful chemicals out of our communities’ airways and waterways.
I didn’t always see the value in certification itself because I cared more about the practices than the paperwork. However, I’ve come to realize (honestly, in working with Rodale!) that certification helps ensure we’re following good standards and gives farmers and buyers a shared sense of trust. From Saticoy Food Hub’s perspective, that trust really matters. It helps us market food more effectively and makes a difference in our promotion and advocacy around Good Food Purchasing and Sustainable Procurement. “Certified Organic” gives us something concrete to point to when we talk about sustainable sourcing.
Looking ahead, we’re planning to start the organic certification planning process next year, with a goal of becoming a Certified Organic Food Hub and possibly exploring ROC if it feels right for our farmers, buyers, and community. We’re also working towards broader food hub compliance and hope to start implementing all of that by 2027.”
–Sierra Doehr, Executive Director, Saticoy Food Hub
Get Involved
Send us a message if you’d like to get involved in our work to regenerate Ventura County or if you are a farmer seeking support in your transition to regenerative organic farming.
Completing this form automatically signs you up for electronic communications from Rodale Institute. You can easily unsubscribe at any time.
Ways to Support
Donate
You can’t buy happiness, but you can fund regenerative organic agriculture.
$100 → Fund one acre of cover crop seed.
$1,000 → Fund one farmer’s Organic certification expenses.
$5,000 → Fund a no-till drill for a farmer-owned equipment sharing co-op.
$15,000 → Fund one year lease on 4 acres of prime vegetable growing ground (enough land to pay 3-6 farmers a full-time wage and grow over 100,000 lbs of Organic produce).
$30,000 → Fund a solar charged tractor.
$100,000 → Fund the incorporation of a local Organic Food Marketing Co-op.
Volunteer
Come get your boots dirty.
Collaborate
Make friends in low places (the soil!). We are looking for the following partners, and are open to learning about many other ways to work together.
-
Researchers
We’re looking for researchers interested in analyzing how Ventura County farmers who switch to Regenerative Organic practices are impacting the health and wellness of the local community.
-
Grocery Stores
We’re looking for grocery stores interested in selling locally grown Regenerative Organic produce.
-
Institutions
We’re looking for institutions (hospitals, schools, and facilities) interested in buying from family farms.
-
Doctors and Healthcare Providers
We’re looking for doctors and health providers interested in prescribing food as medicine.
-
Chefs
We’re looking for chefs interested in developing recipes with new crops fresh from the field.
-
Policy Makers
We’re looking for policy makers interested in meeting local growers to learn about the challenges and solutions on their farms.
Upcoming Events
Check out our events calendar to see any upcoming events related to Regenerate the Health of Ventura County.
See Our CalendarCore Team
Arianna Bozzolo, Ph.D.
Western Region Research Director
Nathanael Gonzalez-Siemens
Pacific Regional Manager
Cate Batson Baril
Markets Coordinator
Daniel Chavez
California Organic Consultant
Bridget Gilmore
Market Development Manager
Reyna Ortega-Aviles
Farm Operations Technician, California Organic Center
Jacob Pecenka, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, California Organic Center
Sharon Sterling
Project Operations Coordinator
Support Team
Sam Malriat
Director, Organic Consulting
Corinne Murphy
Business Development Manager
Emily Miller
Operations Manager
Our Partners
