Pie Ranch

For almost 20 years, Pie Ranch has worked to create a Bay Area in which all people have access to healthy food, know and value where their food comes from and attain that food from a multiracial corridor of climate-friendly farmers, land stewards and ranchers in a symbiotic web that benefits both the people and the planet.

As our community and the world continue to cope with societal and environmental challenges, Pie Ranch offers transformative programming that educates youth and adults about organic food and farming, fosters early-stage regenerative farmers and collaborates with allies to build a healthy and just food system.

Our programs for K-12 learners and the public are grounded at the farm and provide inspiration for participants to affect food systems change in their communities. Visitors to the farm tend and harvest crops that are subsequently crafted into delicious meals (and pies!) for a seed to table experience that teaches about regenerative farming, fair labor practices for growers and nutritious eating. These programs reach approximately 1000 youth and over 50,000 members of the public every year.

Our Regenerator Farm at Cascade creates pathways for farmers, ranchers and land stewards to achieve business viability with an emphasis on providing equitable economic and wealth-building opportunities for womxn, Black, Indigenous and all people of color (BIPOC).  The Regenerator Program provides mentorship, workshops on farming, tools and machinery, contacts with local markets and most importantly, access to land.  The Regenerator Farm currently hosts 2 farms and one Indigenous Stewardship endeavor.

Our Food Hub program buys food from local organic farms and distributes nutritious, fresh produce to food-insecure families in the Bay Area.  This program begun during the pandemic, continues to provide a market for organic farms like those at our Regenerator as well as serves eaters with seasonal, climate-friendly fresh produce, demonstrating what a more sustainable food web looks like.

Since 2014, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and Amah Mutsun Land Trust (who co-tend present day Pie lands in honor of the original inhabitants the Quiroste) have shared their wisdom and skills with Pie Ranch.  The Amah Mutsun Native Plant Nursery at the Regenerator Farm at Cascade provides plants to revegetate regional lands, helping to restore our coastal prairies for a more fire resistant future.  To date, 125,000 plants have been grown at Cascade and transplanted throughout the Coastside.

Testimonials

Pie Ranch is a prime example of what regenerative agriculture looks like when Indigenous ancestral knowledge is embraced, honored and cultivated. By supporting Pie Ranch, I feel intentional in my efforts to cultivate food & farm education for youth, create a socially just food system, and promote an anti-racist organization that is committed to multiracial farmers, land stewards and the preservation of land for generations to come.

-Amina Burrell, Founder, Eco (Wonder) School, Pie Ranch Board Chair

The experience I’ve had working here at Pie Ranch has been once in a lifetime. While working here I’ve met many different people. I’ve made good memories with new friends and learned and practiced patience while working with children and the public!

- Mairol Hernandez, Senior YouthCorp Member, Pie Ranch

YouthCorp (Pie Ranch Program) allowed me to connect with friends and meet new individuals during the pandemic.  Being able to work with friends helped me feel comfortable and enthusiastic about working and learning new topics and helped me feel connected to others, especially after being isolated during Covid.  I was fortunate to participate in the program as I was able to gain a better understanding and further experience working with animals, agriculture and environmental issues. I also gained crucial job skills through YouthCorp like collaboration, creative problem-solving and a strong work ethic.

-Cinthia Vazquez, Former YouthCorp Member at Pie Ranch