California / West Coast
Where Natural History Meets the Living Farm
A California-based Practice rooted in careful observation — studying the land, restoring ecological balance and cultivating food, flowers and fiber with intention and purpose.
Philosophy
Farming begins with watching. Before a seed gets planted, there is a season of looking — observing soil, existing flora and fauna, how water moves during rain and the patterns and relationships of the place. The Naturalist Farmer is a Practice built on that kind of attention.
Drawing from the traditions of natural history, the science of ecological restoration, and the precision of biointensive production, this approach treats the farm not as a factory but as a living system — one that rewards patience, observation, and deep knowledge of place.
“The land is always speaking. The work is learning to listen.”
Field note
The Practice
Three Pillars
01
Natural History
Every farm is a field site. We study the organisms, relationships, and seasonal rhythms of the land — insects, birds, fungi, soil fauna — as the foundation of all farming decisions. What lives here tells us what is possible.
02
Ecological Restoration
Healthy farms are embedded in healthy landscapes. We apply restoration ecology principles to rebuild native plant communities, improve watershed function, and create habitat corridors that support the biodiversity a farm depends on.
03
Biointensive Production and Animal Inclusion
Intensive, small-scale growing methods that maximize yield per square foot — and including animals, wild and domestic, to improve ecological health and function on the farm.
About Me
A Naturalist Who Farms. A Farmer Who Observes.
I came to farming through natural history — years spent in the field identifying plants, tracking insects, and learning the ecological grammar of California's landscapes. That foundation changed everything about how I grow food.
My practice integrates three disciplines that rarely appear together: the careful observation of a field naturalist, the science of ecological restoration, and the precision of biointensive growing methods. Together, they form a coherent approach to small-scale farming that is productive, ecologically sound, and deeply rooted in place.
I work with beginning farmers and seasoned growers throughout California — through workshops, courses, and on-farm consulting — helping them develop the observational skills and ecological knowledge that make farming more resilient, more interesting, and more alive.
Workshops and Presentations
Hands-on field learning for all skill levels
On-Farm Consulting
Onsite assessment and planning, including small farm design and layout
Speaking Engagements and Keynote Presentations
Talks for conferences, institutions, and public events
From the Field
A Season in Photographs
Soil, Seeds, Sunshine and Soul.
Contact
Let's Talk About Your Land
Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen an existing practice, I'd love to hear from you. Reach out about workshops, consulting, or just to ask a question.
California / West Coast