As wildfires continue to burn across California, our hearts are with those are impacted, displaced or have experienced loss of land or loved ones. We are closely monitoring the situation and working directly with our growers to lend support. If you would like to help, please consider donating directly to one our farms that was impacted or to a community organization listed below.

Sea to Sky Farm

Sea to Sky Farm is located in Bonny Doon in Santa Cruz County, one of the worst-hit areas of the CZU Lightning Complex Fires. Founded by Chris and Dana Laughlin in 2018. the farm is surrounded by coastal redwoods with natural springs, and sites of Native American historical significance. Their shed burned with all the seed, tools, packaging, and farmers’ market supplies. Their cooler for storing produce, electric cart, bathrooms, showers, refrigerators, washer, and dryer, part of the greenhouse with all supplies and more essential farm equipment and facilities are gone. Already ordered produce burned, and their work truck is gone too. For much of their crop, and especially the fruit orchard, they have to start over. Help Sea to Sky Farm rebuild by donating to their GoFundMe page.

Fire damage at Sea to Sky Farm in Bonny Doon, Santa Cruz County, California

Molino Creek Farm

Molino Creek Farm was founded by several families to preserve family farming and the beauty the Coastal Redwood Mountains in 1983. Organic farming has allowed them to create a livelihood, and be an important source of nourishing, delicious food for the community.  The farm and community suffered extensive damage from the CZU Lightning Complex Fires. Several family homes perished, and large portions of their water system were destroyed. Many orchard trees, some new vineyards, much of the deer fence, the mechanics garage, gates, and irrigation were all burned. Miraculously, many tomato plants survived the fires. Help Molino Creek restore basic safety and critical infrastructure and begin their road to recovery. Donations can be made at their GoFundMe page.

Photo Credit: Cassandra Christine. Fire damage at Molino Creek. 

Community Organizations

• California Family Farmer Emergency Fund: Offering direct support to our agricultural community impacted by disaster–25% of funds raised by CAFF will be distributed to partner organizations directly serving farmworkers impacted by wildfire, including undocumented workers. Follow @caff_famfarms.
• Community Foundation Santa Cruz County: Seeking help to support those affected by the CZU Lightning Complex Fires. Check out their page for details on how to give supplies, donate or volunteer.
• Latino Community Foundation NorCal Wildfire Relief Fund: Supporting frontline community partners, who are helping those affected by the August 2020 wildfires. Follow @latinocommfdn.
• Puente: Puente is the Community Resource Center, serving the San Mateo County South Coast communities of Pescadero, La Honda, Loma Mar, and San Gregorio. They are currently working to find temporary housing for those displaced by the fires and have set up an Emergency Fire Relief Fund. Follow @mypuente.
• Sonoma Family Meal: Provides meals to the community by sourcing from regional farms and paying local chefs to prepare food. Follow @sonomafamilymeal.
• World Central Kitchen: Chef José Andres’ World Central Kitchen is feeding firefighters and evacuees. Follow @wckitchen.
• UndocuFund Monterey Bay & UndocuFund Sonoma County: Provides disaster relief support for undocumented families and individuals. Follow @undocufundmb

We’ve also compiled a list of resources to support disaster preparation and recovery specifically for farmers and growers. Feel free to share this resource list (linked HERE) with producers in your network.

Stay safe and let’s do what we can to protect our farmers and communities.