Soil Born Farms

50+ Sprawling Acres of Farm-Fresh Fun

Located along the American River Parkway in Rancho Cordova, Soil Born Farms invites visitors to explore organic agriculture, learn about wellness, and enjoy some of the freshest farm-to-fork dining in the Sacramento area.

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Farmers harvest produce at Soil Born Farms

🌱 About Soil Born Farms

Nestled along the American River Parkway, Soil Born Farms is a vibrant urban agriculture and education project located at the historic American River Ranch in Rancho Cordova. Spanning more than fifty acres, Soil Born Farms invites visitors to connect with the land through organic farming, environmental stewardship, healthy living, and hands-on learning experiences. The farm serves as a gathering place where families, food lovers, gardeners, and curious travelers can explore the connection between food, health, and the natural world.

What makes Soil Born Farms special is its ability to turn everyday activities into meaningful experiences. Whether you're strolling through seasonal gardens, learning about sustainable growing practices, attending a workshop, or simply enjoying the peaceful riverside setting, the farm offers a welcoming space to slow down, learn something new, and appreciate where food comes from.

How Soil Born Farms Got Their Start

🌿 Activities at Soil Born Farms

While Soil Born Farms is closed to the public during the week (unless you're attending a scheduled program, registered class, or field trip), Saturdays transform the grounds into a lively community gathering space. From 8am to 1pm, visitors are invited to explore the ranch, connect with local growers and educators, and enjoy a morning immersed in nature.

Whether you're interested in learning practical skills or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there's plenty to experience. Join a foraging walk, sharpen your plant knowledge through herb and mushroom identification, or bring your binoculars for a bird-watching adventure. Outdoor yoga classes offer a peaceful way to start the day, and live music and seasonal events add to the welcoming farm atmosphere. Every Saturday offers a slightly different experience, so check their calendar before your visit.

View the Soil Born Event Calendar

🥗 Savor Farm-to-Fork Bites & Learn New Skills

If you're feeling hungry, head to Phoebe's Café for an outdoor, farm-to-fork brunch enjoyed in the fresh air of the ranch. From buckwheat pancakes and delicious pastries to fresh vegetarian frittatas, seasonal ingredients and simple flavors highlight the connection between the farm and the table.

For those looking to expand their culinary skills, wellness-focused cooking classes offer hands-on inspiration for bringing fresh ingredients into everyday meals. Check the event calendar for class dates and registration options.

Find & Register for Classes

🥕 Take Home a Taste of the Farm

During Saturday market hours, visitors can browse Soil Born's organic farmstand for seasonal fruits and vegetables grown directly on-site. Gardeners can shop for fruit trees, native plants, and gardening supplies to bring a little farm inspiration home. Browse Milly's Mercantile for artisanal kitchen goods, local products, and thoughtful gifts that celebrate healthy living and sustainable food culture.

Soil Born Farms offers a little of everything! Take your time as you shop around and enjoy the beautiful landscape. You might entirely forget that you're in the middle of a suburban city.

Browse the Farmstand Catalogue

🤝 Get Your Hands Dirty & Volunteer at Soil Born Farms

For visitors looking to make a deeper connection with the land, Soil Born Farms offers meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Volunteer tasks change with the seasons and may include preparing fields for planting, harvesting fresh produce, caring for fruit trees, maintaining educational gardens, revitalizing existing spaces, or working with medicinal herbs, native plants, flowers, and produce.

Whether you're an experienced gardener or a complete beginner, the farm welcomes anyone eager to learn and contribute. Volunteer opportunities are available for adults and motivated teens ages 16 and 17, making it a great experience for sustainability enthusiasts and aspiring gardeners alike.

Explore Volunteer Opportunities

Watch & Learn: Starting Seedlings at the Farm

Meet Co-Director Shawn Harrison

Shawn Harrison is the co-founder and co-director of Soil Born Farms, where he has spent more than three decades advancing organic agriculture, environmental education, and community-based food systems. Since beginning his work in sustainable farming in the early 1990s, Shawn has helped transform Soil Born Farms into a leading destination for hands-on learning, healthy living, and ecological stewardship in the Sacramento region. He holds a master's degree in International Agricultural Development from UC Davis, is accredited in Ecological Agriculture, and has been recognized for his contributions to environmental sustainability with Valley Vision's Regional Environmental Legacy Award.

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