Paicines Ranch
Paicines, California
The Farm
Nestled in the heart of San Benito County, among the sweeping oak-studded hillsides, the historic Paicines Ranch is habitat for wildlife. The ranch mission is to work with the dynamic natural world to regenerate the health of the ecosystem from the soil up while growing delicious, nourishing food for the surrounding community. The ranch consists of approximately 7000 acres of rangeland, 550 acres of row crop ground, and 25 acres of vineyard, all certified organic. In all three areas, farmers and ranchers are making changes to move towards more perennial systems, more complexity and diversity. The farm also produces 100% grassfed beef, lamb, pork, and turkey.
The Team
Paicines Ranch is owned by Sallie Calhoun, an impact investor, activist, and philanthropic funder in regenerative agriculture. Her work focuses on improving the health of agricultural soils and sequestering carbon in soil to mitigate climate change, while creating healthier people. She is also the founder of the No Regrets Initiative, which seeks to use all available forms of capital to create change in the agricultural system. Participants will also interact directly with Kelly Mulville (Vineyard Manager), Elaine Patarini (Learning Center) and Martha Skelley (Livestock Manager).
What’s special about Climate Farm School at Paicines Ranch?
Paicines Ranch is a leader in the movement toward regenerative farming systems. They work to develop and model regenerative systems; educate other farmers by hosting workshops, field days, and consulting; and they provide investment and philanthropic funding for organizations spearheading the transition. Participants spend time with Vineyard Director Kelly Mulville, a renown innovate in regenerative vineyard systems with a passion for applying holistic management to the landscape and beyond. We also have a session with Sallie Calhoun discussing her approach to funding the regenerative transition. Paicines Ranch views itself as an ecosystem restoration project seeking to support itself through farming. They are experimenting with different grazing patterns in an effort to return native California perennial grasses to the landscape.
Typical On-Farm Week [Short Course]
Short Course Pricing
Private Room: $1950
Shared Room: $1775
Camping: $1625
Offsite: $1350
My original hope in attending Climate Farm School was to accelerate my knowledge of food systems and how regenerative farming methods play a role in improving their resiliency. What I gained was so much more. Through Climate Farm School, I learned that regenerative agriculture was not only a tool to rebuild vulnerable food systems, but it was also a tool to restore entire ecosystems. During my on-farm visit at Paicines Ranch, I witnessed the return of native biodiversity through these practices, and better understood how domesticated livestock can mimic previous patterns of nature to bring back its natural rhythm. Being on nature's clock that week also allowed me to find my own restoration and rhythm with nature, which deepened my connection to the land and this program. Highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking a path to reconnect with food, nature, and themselves!
-Asha Agrawal, Managing Director at Tin Shed Ventures & Head of Corporate Development at Patagonia