Our second season, we expanded our personal garden and created a medicine wheel garden for medicinal herbs and flowers. We surprised our family and friends with the size and abundance of our produce. Realizing that we had enough surplus to feed many families, we opened a small road side stand.

We began to research the idea of creating a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program to offer our community the following year. In return our community supported us by purchasing shares in our 3rd year of production. We were all very excited for there was not a CSA program close in our area. We were then able to expand our gardens into the pumpkin field, focusing strictly on edible produce and pie pumpkins. The shares paid for seeds, farm equipment and tools, compost and the supplies for hoop houses. During this 3rd season we realized we were growing more lettuce and heirloom tomatoes than we could manage. We decided to bring our produce to the local farmers markets. We were so thrilled to be accepted into the Saturday Placerville Market and the Tuesday South Lake Tahoe Market. Both communities were especially happy about our year round lettuce supply. We would sell out by 10am! We couldn’t keep up with the demand, and dreamed of the possibility to expand our gardens again.

In our 4th season, we diced to grow into a full time farming business. We were pleased with the relationships we were developing with our CSA subscribers and our community members that are loyal to the Farmer’s Markets. We doubled our farm space and with the growing support, we were able to purchase adequate fencing, get the old farm tractor running and a beautiful supply of mushroom compost. With the economic crisis, we were so blessed to be supporting our family, mainly by supplying organic food to our family, neighbors and community members. We’ve made amazing friends who share our beliefs and values and whom have helped us grow and professionalize our farm an herbal business.

Now in our 5th season, we have grown confident in our skills and knowledge and continue to strive for growing quality organic produce and goods. We have leased 8 acres of organic apples and are pleased to expand our menu. Our herb and flower gardens have grown as well. We will continue to offer our CSA program and feed families at the farmer’s markets, as well as our road side stand. We are so appreciative of the support; for without YOU believing in us we would be unable to bring the organic produce & goods to you! Our relationship is dependent on one another and unites us in a common thread of gratitude.

Thank you!

With a long and interesting career, Harold retired from the Forestry. He used his experience and knowledge to plant a Christmas Tree Plantation. With the help of their son, Bruce, they cleared and existing pear orchard and started Santa’s Acres. Harold also planted a small patch of mountain redwoods (Sequoia Gigantia) and American Sweet Gum (Liquid Amber) intermittently throughout the 12 acres, creating a beautiful display of fall colors.

I grew up working on the Christmas Tree Farm. I remember Christmas season was a family affair. One of my first jobs was taking care of the haystacks. My brother, Marc and I would gather the haystacks and pile them together for a place for the children to play. I have fond memories of Marc and I helping customers cut their trees and carry them back to the sales area. As I look back we have had generations of families come back every year for their family tradition.

Nearly 15 years after the beginning of Santa’s Acres, Harold passed away. Dorthea with the help of her son, Bruce and her daughter, Nancy, helped in the transition to keep the farm running. Distance separated the children, now raising their own families and Dorothea managed the farm alone. I came up on weekends while still in high school to assist her in any way that I could. I continued planting trees and doing the maintenance for years, while I lived in Placerville. Our family has always come back together during Christmas season to help at the farm.

Nearly 10 years ago, I came back to the farm for Dorthea needed more assistance. Dorthea made me a partner and the manager of Santa’s Acres. It was my honor and privilege to work with Dorthea. It was always Dorthea’s dream to keep the farm in the family.

As Dorthea was reaching her mid 90’s, my mom, Nancy, moved back to the farm to retire and look after her mother. I was taking full responsibility for the upkeep of the Christmas Tree Plantation while I helped my mom build her house. It was rewarding to have three generations on the family farm again.

Also at that time, I asked the love of my life, Stephanie, to move onto the farm with me. We both have a love and passion for gardening and agriculture. This love we share brought great joy to my grandmother. Our family grew with our marriage and birth of our son Savan. With two beautiful daughters, Althea and Charis, and two amazing sons, Elijah and Savan, my wife Stephanie and I have great hopes for the future.

With the passing of Dorthea at the age of 98, a new chapter on our family farm began. Santa’s Acres closed forever and Sacred Paths Farm was born. Our vision is to provide organic food and herbs to the people of our community. The love of the land guides us in our work to help create a sustainable community that our childrens’ children will be proud of.

• South Lake Tahoe: Tuesday 8am-1pm
• Downtown Placerville: Wednesday 4pm-sundown
• Placerville Saturday Market: Saturday 8am-noon
• Folsom: Sunday 8am-noon

We participate in as many local Farmers Markets as we can. Farmers Markets are a win-win situation both for our communities, and for our local farmers and tradespeople. Buying local fruits, vegetables, and other products, not only helps our friends, neighbors and the local economy, but it goes a long way towards reducing our use of the planets natural resources, and moves us closer to achieving a sustainable lifestyle. If you have any suggestions for local Farmers Markets that we can participate in, please contact us and let us know.

Memberships in the C.S.A. are based on shares of the harvest. Members are called shareholders, and they subscribe or underwrite the harvest for the entire season in advance. Members help pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment maintenance, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown, and those who grow it.

Connecting the Consumer, the Farmer, and the Earth

Our emphasis is on biodynamic farming practices, including but not limited to; Organic Fertilizers – Soil improvement is obtained by proper humus management. Farm manure and compost are the most valuable fertilizers. Organic Pest and Weed Control – Looking upon the soil and the farm as a living organism. Companion Planting – Mixed cropping so that plants can aid and support each other. Biointensive Methods – Focus on maximum yields from the minimum use of land, while simultaneously improving the soil.

What To Expect

For 20 weeks, you will receive freshly harvested vegetables and herbs. You will pick up your weekly share, every Thursday between 2pm-sunset, or by Friday morning by 10am. Our season starts June 3rd and continues until October 14th. We will be offering a drop-off service this year. If you would like to volunteer your home as a drop-off site, please contact us. We only need 5 shareholders willing to use your drop-off site in order to provide a new location for delivery.

Every week we will continue to provide a supply of the latest produce in season. As our seasons progress, so will your variety, including pie pumpkins and apples this year in the fall. We also offer an array of medicinal herbal products and teas, along with fresh culinary herbs, or add a bouquet of fresh cut flowers – these options are available per request in advance.

Projected Harvest for 2010 includes (not necessarily in harvesting order);

• Lettuce and Salad Mixes
• Variety of Greens
• Kale
• Collards
• Swiss Chard
• Spinach
• Peas
• Carrots
• Beets
• Radish
• Turnips
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage (4+ varieties)
• Burdock Root
• Potatoes
• Onions & Leeks
• Garlic
• Corn
• Beans (Bush & Pole varieties)
• Cucumbers (5 varieties)
• Eggplant
• Summer Squash (8+ varieties)
• Bell Peppers
• Hot Peppers
• Tomatoes (20+ varieties)
• Melons (5+ varieties)
• Stone Fruit
• Pumpkins
• Winter Squash
• Apples

You can also expect a variety of Culinary Herbs, including;

• Basil (4+ varieties)
• Fennel
• Dill
• Thyme (3 varieties)
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Cilantro
• Mint (3 varieties)

Additionally, we offer a variety of Medicinal Herbs for sale in 4” pots to grow in your own garden or pots. These will be available at the farmers markets throughout the spring and early summer.

As we grow and change with the seasons, we strive to provide as many options to buy local, organically made (and grown) products for you and your family. Thank you for your support, you make a difference.

Sign up for CSA Membership here!

We are blessed to have the opportunity to live and work on the family land and do what we love. With this opportunity, we are creating a sacred place in our gardens for all to experience. We are simply; an organic and self sustaining family farm. Support local farmers and organic growers; sustaining families, communities and the earth.