At Ranchera Familia, our farming style is rooted in cultural tradition, ecological respect, and a deep commitment to land stewardship. We farm in harmony with the rhythms of our environment, honoring the knowledge passed down from Indigenous agricultural practices and blending it with regenerative and sustainable methods used today. Our goal is to cultivate a thriving, life-filled ecosystem where soil, plants, animals, and people exist in balance.
Our Influences
Our growing philosophy is shaped by practices that prioritize connection, respect, and regeneration:
- Traditional Native farming practices from Indigenous communities
- Korean Natural Farming (KNF)
- Regenerative agriculture
- Sustainable farming techniques
- Low-till and low-energy farm workflows
- Closed-loop systems that repurpose materials back into our soil
- These influences guide how we plant, feed, protect, and care for our land year-round.
Our Beneficials
We rely on beneficial insects and natural predators rather than chemical controls. These allies help keep the garden in balance and allow the ecosystem to regulate itself.
Common beneficials we release or attract include:
- Green lacewings
- Pirate bugs
- Parasitic wasps
- Predatory beetles
These insects help manage pest populations while supporting plant and soil health.
Our Companions
Companion planting is an essential part of how we grow. By interplanting herbs and flowers, we create diversity above and below the soil.
Plants we often use include:
- Mints
- Sages
- Marigolds
- Oregano
- Basil and pollinator-friendly herbs
These plants help with:
- Soil moisture retention
- Reducing erosion
- Attracting beneficial insects
- Distracting unwanted pests
- Maintaining a more balanced nutrient environment
Companion planting also supports a more beautiful, biodiverse, and resilient farm.
Garden Inputs
We exclusively use OMRI-listed and California Department of Food & Agriculture–approved organic inputs for feeding and foliar care. These inputs help nourish the soil ecosystem while supporting clean, transparent farming practices.
Our recurring inputs include:
- Flora Stem Micro Nutrients
- Tea Terps by Roots Organics
- Homemade KNF and JADAM-style preparations such as FPJ, WCA, and other farm-made inputs
By using organic nutrients, cover crops, soil amendments, and natural ferments, we keep our soil alive and functioning as its own ecosystem.
Our Philosophy
We believe that farming is both a responsibility and a privilege. Our work is shaped by the culture, history, and ancestral knowledge of the communities who farmed this land long before us. We honor these practices through:
- Land-based reciprocity
- Thoughtful water and energy use
- Reducing waste through reuse and repurposing
- Seed preservation
- Plant propagation and biodiversity
- Cover cropping and soil building
- Respecting the wildlife, insects, and organisms that support our ecosystem
- Our farm is a blend of old-world knowledge and modern regenerative science. By investing in reusable systems and organic, natural inputs, we continue to reduce our carbon footprint while revitalizing the land for future generations.