Goals & Needs

 

Pie Ranch is a working organic farm, an education center and an organization building partnerships for a healthy and just food system. We envision a world in which:

• All people have access to healthy food, and know and value where their food comes from;

• Mulitracial farmers, ranchers, and land stewards have access to knowledge, land and capital to build regenerative farms directly linked to local residents, businesses and schools;

• Lands are preserved and enhanced for generations to come. 

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Cascade Ranch is a neighboring 418-acre farm just north of Pie Ranch, and is home to the Cascade Regenerator Program (CRP), located on the ancestral homeland of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Here we envision a regenerative landscape where multiracial groups of farmers, ranchers, and land stewards have access to the resources needed to feed the diverse communities of the Bay Area. The CRP helps early stage farmers take the next step in their careers, with an emphasis on providing equitable economic and wealth-building opportunities to under-resourced farmers and ranchers. CRP also provides participants with affordable land to start their own small farm businesses, along with mentorship and technical support, equipment access and training, sales and markets, and financial and business planning with support from program partners. 

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Service Projects at Cascade Ranch and Pie Ranch will include collaborating with Pie Ranch staff and Amah Mutsun Land Trust staff on the removal of invasive species, and the propagation and planting of native plants for the purpose of revegetation. The fellow will support fire restoration activities such as tree felling and managing burn piles, and the installation of irrigation systems. The fellow will also support youth training in Conservation Fire Recovery Planning and Implementation, and help conduct training and educational outreach for the Pie Ranch Youth Corps. This work will address the issues of climate and environmental disturbance, improve the water quality of our watershed, and support fire recovery and fire preparedness.

 

The fellow will be exposed to a variety of climate change and natural resource related work in the field and office. They will support our efforts towards applied science by using professional tools and methodology to train youth on conservation practices. Our fellow will have access to a number of professional development and training opportunities, they will collaborate with staff from local, and state agencies, and they will have many opportunities for leadership development. 

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Capacity Building Projects

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Our projects are focused in providing capacity for our youth program. The fellow will:

1) Train and support the youth corps to implement the practices in our environmental stewardship plans and practices. 

2) Lead youth in the planting and maintenance of a native plants at Pie and Cascade Ranch, in collaboration with and guidance from the Amah Mutsun Land Trust

3) Train a diverse group of youth on environment conservation practices

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We could not do the work we do without this support!

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Organizational & Community Highlights

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Working at Pie Ranch means being part of a team that honors different perspectives and makes room for diverse voices, amplifies those who are traditionally marginalized, and relies on clear communication.

 

As a remote coastal community, we have particular challenges, such as spotty wifi/cell connectivity and inclement weather! Each day provides new challenges and opportunities to solve puzzles and improve efficiency. Being prepared for a variety of tasks throughout the day will serve you well at Pie and Cascade Ranch, there are always different projects to focus on. Must be flexible in planning and ready to pivot priorities on short notice!

 

Staff are friendly, supportive, and communicative. There is a long history of Spanish-speaking groups in this region, so if you are interested in or passionate about different cultures, that is ideal! Love education and outreach? This is a wonderful place to help develop and implement programmatic materials and messaging while building relationships and public speaking skills. Our office environment is small and cozy, but old, as many ranch buildings are. Standard amenities are provided but on occasion are unreliable due to the remote and rustic nature of our work. Being flexible and finding creative work-arounds is key to having a positive experience at Cascade Ranch.

 

Looking to build your technical skills? Opportunities abound! You will support staff in environmental assessments, project planning, assist researchers, collect and analyze data, and utilize software programs sales and crop management. You will be encouraged to connect with other Pie Ranch programs such as youth education and the farm stand, in order to expand your understanding of farming from a non-profit perspective and get involved with the community members that support our work.

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Pie Ranch values include Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Solidarity, Commitment and Collaboration, Love and Respect, and Responsible Stewardship. Pie Ranch is committed to justice of all kinds and organizes its work around food justice specifically. As an organization we aim to change the deeper systemic problems that cause the current food system to fail in providing equitable access to healthy food, affordable land, and healthy ecosystems. Our programs advance self-reliance and social justice by acknowledging that community leadership is required for effective management strategies. We embrace the seventh generation concept that urges the current generation of humans to live sustainably and work for the benefit of seven generations into the future. Working at Pie Ranch means being part of a team that honors different perspectives and makes room for diverse voices, amplifies those who are traditionally marginalized, and relies on clear communication. We provide ongoing JEDI training.

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