Organic Matters Ranch grows plants, animals, and community, as depicted on their colorful logo. The 102-acre ranch was founded by Johnny Gary and Heather Plaza in 2002 with the goal of providing customers with fresh and local food using ecologically sustainable practices. The mixed crop and livestock operation is located in the fertile lowland bottoms between Humboldt Bay and the coastal redwoods. The climate along the coast is very similar to the climate in the Peruvian Andes, which allows quinoa to thrive—a recent addition to their crop offering.

Johnny and Heather had purchased the ranch as vegetable growers but had extra land and wanted to combine crop and animal systems in an integral way. Most importantly they wanted to find a mix that would serve the community. Today, approximately 75% of the land is dedicated to growing plants; they also raise chickens and sheep. The “ranch” in the name is a historical nod to the cattle ranch that existed on the property before Johnny and Heather took over.

The ranch offers a farmstand on-site that sells their own produce as well as produce from neighboring farms to round out their offering. Other community programs include a CSA, Market share, and a U-Pick Pumpkin Patch in the fall that boasts 50 different varieties of pumpkins!

Fun Fact: The pumpkin patch was started because Heather loves pumpkins. They are going on their 11th year!

Advice from a pumpkin: be well-rounded, get plenty of sunshine, give thanks for life’s bounty, have thick skin, keep growing, be outstanding in your field, think big.” – Unknown