Condor's Hope Ranch
Join us in New Cuyama, California for a week of farming, learning, and building community, with a focus on agroecology and sustainable water resource management. This week-long farm experience is part of the Climate Farm School learning program.
About the farm
The property
Condor’s Hope is a 5-acre dry farmed olive and wine grape ranch located in New Cuyama, CA. Rooted in principles of agroecology and sustainable resource management, the ranch is a living example of farming practices necessary for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Participants in this course will learn about dry farming and perennial cropping systems as a focal area for building climate resilient food systems. The ranch is 100% off the grid, with rainwater catchment and onsite solar + battery energy systems, so participants will experience the realities of off grid sustainable living as well during the on farm week.
- New Cuyama, California (USA)
- Part of Terra.do's Climate Farm School
- condorshope.com
Farm team
The ranch is owned by Steve Gliessman and Robbie Jaffe. Steve is a professor emeritus of agroecology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). He is also the founding director of the UCSC Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. Robbie is the founding director of Life Lab Science, which helps develop school gardens and corresponding curriculum for schools across the US, and co-founder of the Community Agroecology Network (CAN). She was also active in the United Farm Workers (UFW) movement after college. Participants will have the unique opportunity to interact directly with Steve and Robbie.
Glimpses from the farm
Hands-on activities
Prepare to get your hands dirty with a wide range of activities offered at the farm.
Farming and agroecology
- Cultivation work in the dry farmed vineyard and olive grove (e.g. pruning, weeding)
- Irrigation system management
- Agroforestry work
- Soil carbon workshop and on-farm ecological restoration
- Visits to nearby farms to explore vegetable operations and other agroecological farming systems
Food and cooking
- Wine tasting of recent Condor’s Hope vintages
- Group meal preparation and basic food preservation lessons with resident chef
- Special dinner at the local farm-to-table restaurant, Cuyama Buckhorn
Pricing and expected commitment
US $2400 – $3500
*Pricing varies based on lodging. Exact details are provided in the application form.
Hear from Climate Farm School fellows
Caroline Santinelli
"Climate Farm School should be required coursework for every generation.. I've learned that it doesn't matter if you work in the climate or agriculture industry; as humans, we are a part of, not apart from, the agro-ecosystem, and we owe it to ourselves and our planet to understand the complexity of our food systems."
Varsha Uthappa
"The week spent on the farm was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had.. This course has given me so much knowledge, insight, perspective and hope.. The course material combined with all the people associated in making it what it is makes it so unique and like nothing else out there."
