1976 to 2026 50th Anniversary!
In 2026, our walnut farm turns 50, and we’re celebrating all year long. Join us for a special series of monthly farm tours, hands-on workshops, pop-up markets, and seasonal events that honor five decades of farming, community, and stewardship.
Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are just discovering the farm, we invite you to walk the orchard, learn our story, and celebrate the land that has been providing walnuts to our community for half a century.
Join us for a guided walk through the orchard, weather permitting. Learn about our farm’s history, the walnut life-cycle, and harvest. This free tour is our way of giving back to the community and lasts 45–60 minutes. Rain cancels. Please reserve your spot (sign-up form on home page).
Upcoming Tours:
• Saturday, January 10th at 10:00 AM
• Saturday, February 7th at 10:00 AM
A Challenge for the New Year
Well, December 1st came and went – the deadline for delivering our crop to Diamond Nuts. For the first time in almost 50 years, we did not make our deadline. This was the most challenging harvest we ever had (and that’s saying a LOT!) October/November saw record breaking rainfall at 9” (wettest in history since record keeping began). We thought it would be the mud and wet orchard that would be our biggest challenge – but we were wrong! It was all of the grass brought on by the rain, which made picking up nuts difficult, clogged our trailers and processing plant, and created more trash than ever before. It was looking like we might not even have a crop – but we made it though and have three trailers full of walnuts – over 20,000 pounds. The challenge this year is that we have to sell the entire crop on our own, with no bulk sale to Diamond. The good news is more delicious walnuts for YOU – our faithful customers! So come one, come all – the Farm Stand is OPEN and ready for you! Please spread the word.
november 2025 - update from the farm
AB 518 Passed!
On October 2nd of this year, California overwhelmingly passed Assembly Bill 518—the Low-Impact Camping Areas Act - affirming the state’s belief that responsible camping and outdoor recreation support strong land stewardship. This landmark legislation now opens the door for Santa Barbara County to opt in by passing a resolution adopting the policy.
We look forward to working with our local elected officials and encourage them to take this important step. We’re still in the game—and hopeful for the return of our award-winning campsites.
Almost 9" of rain in a week - and still more to come
In 50 years, we’ve never seen a November like this one. It’s supposed to be our Harvest week, yet the ground is so saturated we can’t get a tractor into the orchard without sinking. Our only saving grace (hopefully) is the thick grass cover from the 3" of rain we had in October. That green cushion may keep the walnuts from being buried in the mud and molding before we can reach them. At this point, we will almost certainly miss our December 1st deadline with Diamond Nuts, and we’ll need many dry, sunny days before the orchard is firm enough to get back in. We have no idea what condition the nuts will be in by then - or whether we’ll be able to salvage them at all.
For now, we’re doing our best to stay busy, stay patient, and hold onto hope. We simply don’t know what the future holds for our little farm. Stay tuned.
hIP CAMPS TEMPORARILY PAUSED
We started our Hipcamp sites five years ago, when we realized that walnut sales alone could no longer sustain the farm. What began as a financial necessity has blossomed into one of the most rewarding chapters of our lives. Through Hipcamp, we’ve welcomed guests from across the country—and even around the world. Along the way, we’ve built friendships, shared stories, celebrated milestones, and held space during life’s harder moments. It has been our honor to provide a place of refuge,
rest, and restoration for so many.
Sadly, our award-winning Hipcamp sites are on pause for now.
Living in Santa Barbara County is expensive, and for small farmers like us, it’s even harder to make ends meet without
a little extra income.
We’re holding onto hope that this is only temporary. Thank you to all of you who have camped under our walnut trees, shared stories by the fire, and supported our family farm.
Your encouragement means the world. 🌿
Stay tuned, friends — we’re not giving up.
THE REALITIES OF FARMING LIFE
When visitors joined us for Farm Day yesterday, we shared not only how we plant, grow, and harvest our walnut trees, but also what it really means to make a living as a farmer. One guest asked if farming was profitable. Our answer came quickly: “Not at all.” Dad used to say, “We do all the work on the farm so that we can have the lifestyle we enjoy.” That’s still true today. We love living on our modest 22-acre farm, but appearances can be deceiving. The land, which looks like a fortune today, was purchased back in 1976 for under $300,000.
For 45 years, we sold all our walnuts exclusively to Diamond Nuts. Prices fluctuated, but the trend has been downward for over a decade. Two years ago, we were paid just 39 cents per pound. For context, in 1989 the price was 77 cents per pound. Needless to say, that doesn’t cover the bills.
To survive, we had to get creative. We took a leap of faith and held back 10,000 pounds of walnuts to sell on our own. With zero marketing experience, we built a farm stand, opened seven days a week, and worked hard to get our nuts into local grocery stores. We planted Christmas trees in open orchard spaces, and even added two small campsites. Despite all this, the farm still doesn’t break even.
Like many small farmers, we’ve always had “real” jobs off the farm to support our families. The farm’s income stays with the farm. We do all the work ourselves—no hired help—and it’s a lot. Every year brings the same worries: how to cover property taxes, thousands of dollars in summer water bills, insurance, orchard and equipment upkeep, and the inevitable mechanical breakdowns that seem to come at the worst times.
And yet, despite the hard realities, we love our farm. We love the lifestyle, the rhythm of the seasons, and—most of the time—the work itself. Most of all, we are deeply grateful for the incredible support of our community. Whether you’ve bought walnuts, visited our farm stand, camped in our orchard, or simply sent words of encouragement, you keep us going.
Farming isn’t easy, and small farms like ours don’t get the subsidies that big corporate operations rely on. But small farms matter. They keep real food on our tables, preserve history, and sustain our communities.
Supporting the little guy isn’t just nostalgia—it’s an investment in health, tradition, and connection. Thank you for being part of our story.
Follow the Journey!
Our 1946 Ford 2-Ton Truck (Before)
This classic came with the farm when we bought it in 1976. Back then, she was fully operational—even made the trek over Highway 154 with beehives loaded in the back when we moved in! For years, she hauled our walnut harvest to Buellflat to be weighed before the crop was sent up north to Diamond Nuts. She’s been retired for a few decades now, sitting patiently (and admittedly, a bit neglected) ever since.
Take a Look at Her Now! (After)
Well, it took about a year longer than we planned—but the old gal is finally up and running! For now, she’s making short trips around the farm, but we’ve got bigger plans. She’ll be a regular in local parades and might even make an appearance at the occasional pop-up event, proudly hauling our tasty Chandler walnuts.
No matter where she goes, we couldn’t be prouder of our little beauty. Welcome back, old friend.
Look for our Sign!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
We are located across the street from the Miniature Horses at
1646 Alamo Pintado Rd.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
Our Farm Stand is open 7 days a week with bagged Premium Chandler Walnuts available.
Fresh and Delicious
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
Fresh and Delicious
Our exceptional Chandler Walnuts are light, plump, and mild in taste - perfect for snacking, baking, and gifts. Healthy and Delicious - stop by and grab a bag - you won't be disappointed.
November 2022
Shaking the Trees
Ever wonder how we get the nuts out of the trees? Here you go! This is our third Harvester, and is quite a step up from our old original system: using a strap wrapped around the trunk and shaking (think of the old fashioned "fat burning/shaking machines")
A LEAP OF FAITH
After selling exclusively to Diamond for the last 45 years, last year we tried selling about 1,500 pounds on our own. We were overwhelmed by the support of our community, and sold out in a matter of months. This year we are holding back half of our crop (about 10,000 pounds) . It's exciting (and a bit scary) but we are stepping into the next year full of hope.
Campers in the grove
It's been a pleasure to welcome folks from all over the country ... campers seeking space and quiet and natural beauty. We have only two campsites nestled in the Grove - so our guests can truly breathe in the fresh air in their own private space. Although we've been here for decades - we don't take for granted the restorative nature of
It's been a pleasure to welcome folks from all over the country ... campers seeking space and quiet and natural beauty. We have only two campsites nestled in the Grove - so our guests can truly breathe in the fresh air in their own private space. Although we've been here for decades - we don't take for granted the restorative nature of the open space and the power of an early bird-song or shooting star.
It started with Covid, and people escaping lock-down. For several, it was their first camping experience. We loved hearing their stories, and feeling that human connection at a time of so much isolation and uncertainty. We had parents working remotely - and children in desperate need of a good run and a break from Zoom-school. Some have come back again and again to "their" spot.
"Wow - look at all those stars!". We've heard this statement so many times. There are no street nights, no high rise buildings, no freeway noise. Truly an escape for the weary. It took some getting used to for all of us living on the Farm - but being able to give the simple experience of relaxation and rest to our guests has been incredibly rewarding.
May 2020
Hundreds of Hearts
In response to this remarkable space in time that the world finds itself in, and prompted by a feeling of helplessness (and anxiety), I started keeping a paper log of the daily stats for Coronavirus cases and deaths. I broke it out by local, county, state, national, and global. After two weeks of watching numbers increase, I decided to use the figures for something that might offer something more positive.
I started with 651 paper hearts strung together with fishing line, each heart representing a lost life in California to Covid-19. It quickly grew, and as of this writing, the tree has 2,171 hearts strewn about the branches. They are wind-swept and tangled, and some have blown away. We've added a bench to the tree so that folks can stop by and have a moment of peace and reflection if they desire. It has turned into a passion project - with a commitment to see it through to the end of this pandemic, whenever that may be. Be safe everyone.
Rest in Peace, Dad
Dad
Dad's Garden
The Farm
We lost Dad after a long struggle with Alzheimers on July 9th. But his life was so much more than Alzherimers. An avid Traveler, an Investment Advisor, a Humanitarian, a Volunteer, a Farmer, a Husband of 65 years, a Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Great-Great Grandfather. He was deeply loved by his family, and not a day goes b
We lost Dad after a long struggle with Alzheimers on July 9th. But his life was so much more than Alzherimers. An avid Traveler, an Investment Advisor, a Humanitarian, a Volunteer, a Farmer, a Husband of 65 years, a Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Great-Great Grandfather. He was deeply loved by his family, and not a day goes by that we aren't profoundly aware of the gift he gave us with this Farm and this lifestyle. We love and miss him and celebrate his life.
The Farm
Dad's Garden
The Farm
It was a spontaneous purchase in 1976. Mom and Dad had a small hobby farm in Santa Barbara, but this was real farming: a 22 acre walnut farm in Santa Ynez, with a contract to harvest and sell nuts to Diamond. Dad jumped in fearlessly and learned everything there was to know. He worked as a Stock Broker in SB by day, and then plowed and pr
It was a spontaneous purchase in 1976. Mom and Dad had a small hobby farm in Santa Barbara, but this was real farming: a 22 acre walnut farm in Santa Ynez, with a contract to harvest and sell nuts to Diamond. Dad jumped in fearlessly and learned everything there was to know. He worked as a Stock Broker in SB by day, and then plowed and pruned and repaired water lines every spare hour he had. He loved the Farm and the lifestyle it provided.
Dad's Garden
Dad's Garden
Dad's Garden
To honor his legacy, we have decided to create a beautiful, secluded garden for peaceful reflection and stillness. It will be a place of respite and tranquility - with a swing, water feature, several trees, and lovely plants. He would have loved this place - and it gives us something positive to pour our energy into.
Harvest 2021
A 2021 Surprise!
Another Harvest is on the books! And what a harvest it was - no major break-downs, no extreme weather events, the price of walnuts is up, and we pulled in 20,000 pounds of beautiful nuts. This follows four years of declining trees, severe drought, and a restructuring of our Farm. We could not be more grateful.
Night Processing
Our Harvest is now stream-lined to last about a week or so (it could be a 6-7 week process some 40 years ago!) The days are long, and the work is hard on our aging bodies - but what a beautiful view we have through it all.