Soil Born Farms celebrated the opening of its 3,700-square-foot Animal Barn on Aug. 1 at the nonprofit’s American River Ranch, with a ribbon cutting. Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova

 

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - For Cordova High School student Peyton Stalker, raising a goat once meant spending hundreds of dollars to build a shelter in her backyard. On Saturday, Stalker stood beside a new barn designed to make sure future students will not have to do the same.

Soil Born Farms celebrated the opening of its 3,700-square-foot Animal Barn on Aug. 1 at the nonprofit’s American River Ranch, completing a project nearly 10 years in the making. The facility will house animals, support regenerative farming and give local students more opportunities to learn agriculture beyond the classroom.

“This event means a lot because, as a city kid, you don’t really have many opportunities to get any experience with animals or just in general on a farm,” Stalker said. “For the upcoming classes and future members, this is such a great place. It’ll save them money, and it’ll just be a way better environment for their animal.”

Folsom Cordova Unified School District staff, board members, and Cordova High School FFA students gather in front of the new animal barn at Soil Born Farms during its grand opening on Aug. 1. Photo by Rick Sloan

The barn includes indoor animal pens, a chicken coop, rabbitry, tool and hay storage, a visitor welcome area, an ADA-accessible sloped walkway and a rooftop overlook. Built into the landscape with an earth-sheltered design and vegetated roof, it was planned to remain below surrounding orchards and preserve views across the 55-acre ranch and toward the American River Parkway.

Funding was secured in early 2025, with $2.9 million awarded through the City of Rancho Cordova Community Enhancement & Investment Fund, Sacramento County and the California Wildlife Conservation Board.

“This farm brings people back to what it means to grow food. Young people are yearning for that connection, to see things grow, live, and regenerate,” said Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume. “We are planting something here that will be enjoyed for generations to come.”

The Animal Barn is the first new building constructed at the ranch since Soil Born Farms began developing the property more than 20 years ago. Photo by Rick Sloan

Rebecca Sloan, chief of staff to Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, played a key role in securing $2 million in funding for the project through the Lower American River Conservancy Program.

“We believed this project would have a significant impact for the whole region,” Sloan said. “We’ve watched Soil Born Farms serve this community for years, and I have every confidence this barn will inspire generations of children and families to feel connected to this land.”

Soil Born Farms co-founder and co-director Shawn Harrison called the opening a transition point for the nonprofit, which began in 2000 and has spent 25 years developing the ranch as a permanent farm, education center and community resource.

“Twenty-five years under our belt, we’re getting ready for the next chapter, and the foundation has been set,” Harrison said.

Cordova High School FFA students displayed educational exhibits throughout the new animal barn, giving children and visitors an opportunity to learn about agriculture and livestock. Photo by Rick Sloan

The Animal Barn is the first new building constructed at the ranch since Soil Born Farms began developing the property more than 20 years ago, speakers said. It replaces older animal pens that no longer met the program’s needs.

Its purpose extends beyond sheltering sheep, goats, chickens and rabbits. Soil Born Farms plans to rotate grazing animals across the property to manage invasive weeds, build healthier soil, improve water retention and reduce reliance on fuel-powered mowing equipment.

“Integrating animals on an organic farm, especially doing regenerative practices, is essential,” co-founder and co-director Janet Zeller said. “The healthier the soil, the healthier the produce.”

The animals will also become part of the farm’s educational programming. Cordova High School FFA students are expected to use the facility regularly for animal husbandry and supervised agricultural projects. Principal Amy Strawn said agriculture students could have a connection to the farm at least once a week.

Residents, city leaders, school representatives, community partners, and other local officials gathered for the grand opening of the new animal barn at Soil Born Farms on Aug. 1. Photo by Rick Sloan

“This opening is extremely exciting because it just continues and enhances all of the programs that we have that extend the classroom beyond the four walls that we have at Cordova High,” Strawn said.

The barn could allow students to raise larger animals, instead of being limited to smaller animals that can be kept at home. It is also expected to create opportunities for high school students to mentor younger children from nearby schools.

Folsom Cordova Unified School District Superintendent Erik Swanson described the ranch as an extension of the district’s schools and said the partnership gives students an unusually broad education in a city investing in technology and hands-on environmental learning.

Soil Born Farms ribbon cutting took place during Soil Born Farms’ weekly public day, when visitors shop for farm-grown produce, visit Milly’s Mercantile, stop at Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar and eat at the Farmhouse Kitchen. Photo by Rick Sloan

“We’re also living in a place that’s investing in touching grass and getting back to the earth,” Swanson said. “This place is essentially a classroom.”

Mayor Garrett Gatewood said the barn represents an investment in education, environmental stewardship and future generations.

“Today is about much more than opening a new barn, it's the realization of a dream 10 years in the making,” Gatewood said. “Soil Born Farms has created a place where children can learn, families can reconnect with the land, and neighbors can build a stronger community.”

The barn includes indoor animal pens, a chicken coop, rabbitry, tool and hay storage, a visitor welcome area, an ADA-accessible sloped walkway and a rooftop overlook. Photo by Rick Sloan

The California Wildlife Conservation Board has invested in four projects at Soil Born Farms through its Lower American River Conservancy Program, including parking improvements, habitat restoration and the Animal Barn. Deputy Executive Director Rebecca Fris said the facility will expand public access and help connect students and families to nature.

“This is going to be a flagship interpretive facility,” Fris said.

Saturday’s ribbon cutting took place during Soil Born Farms’ weekly public day, when visitors shop for farm-grown produce, visit Milly’s Mercantile, stop at Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar and eat at the Farmhouse Kitchen. Zeller said those operations also serve as training grounds for teenagers employed through the farm’s youth job program.

The nonprofit grows certified organic produce and offers classes and hands-on programs for children and adults, with a mission centered on healthy food, fresh produce access, agriculture and environmental stewardship.

For more information visit https://soilborn.org/.

Built into the landscape with an earth-sheltered design and vegetated roof, the new Animal Barn was planned to remain below surrounding orchards and preserve views across the 55-acre ranch and toward the American River Parkway. Photo by Rick Sloan