Organic Farming Practices & Sustainability

A Commitment to the Land & Local Community

Since founding Gold Ridge Organic Farms in 2000, Farmer Brooke Hazen has been dedicated to organic farming, sustainable practices, and the promotion of healthy, farm-to-table foods. His holistic approach to agriculture integrates environmental stewardship, renewable energy, and community engagement, working in harmony to ensure a thriving, sustainable farm ecosystem.

Sustainable Agriculture & Land Stewardship

  • Certified Organic: Our olives, apples, and citrus are Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth (OTCO), while our on-site mill is Certified Organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), ensuring adherence to the highest sustainability standards.
  • Closed-Loop Farming: We maintain a regenerative system where olive waste, including pomace and olive water, is recycled back into the orchards, enriching the soil and nourishing our trees.
  • Carbon Farming: We implement carbon sequestration practices to enhance soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate resilience.
  • Land Conservation & Agricultural Preservation: Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ 88 acres are designated as an agricultural conservation easement, and as agricultural preserve and open space under the Williamson Act, ensuring the continued legacy of Sonoma County’s agricultural heritage.
  • Finalist, Environmental Stewardship/Sustainable Practices - Sonoma County Tourism Stars of the Industry Awards 2025

Renewable Energy & Resource Conservation

  • Wind Power: A visible landmark on the property, our wind turbine harnesses the prevailing maritime breezes to contribute to the clean energy grid.
  • Electric & Battery-Powered Equipment: Our investment in Monarch electric tractors and battery storage reduces our carbon footprint while also powering farm operations and events sustainably.
  • Water Stewardship: Our farm relies on well water, carefully managed to support the land while ensuring conservation. We utilize drip irrigation

Community Engagement & Education

  • Educational Programs: We host hands-on workshops such as Caring for Your Backyard Olive Orchard with experts in fruit & olive orchard management, as well as guided interpretive Orchard Walks to educate guests on sustainable farming practices through an immersive farm experience.
  • Heirloom Apple Festival: This annual event connects local families and children with the joy of tasting heirloom apples at their seasonal peak, fostering an appreciation for local agriculture. Our ultimate goal is to host a Zero-waste event, and to spread our love of heritage apple varieties to ensure the continuing legacy of Sebastopol’s storied history as a region for growing rare apple varieties and exceptional fruit.
  • Custom Milling: We offer local olive milling services, transforming olives from the surrounding community of backyard and commercial olive growers into the highest quality extra virgin olive oil.
  • Host local foodshed and farmers for lunches and local events: supporting local farmers, organizations, and makers supports economically sustainable actions for the community. We are proud to be members of Sonoma County Farm Trails, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), member-supporters Slow Food Russian River & Slow Food Sonoma County North (as well as recipients of the Slow Food Snail of Approval), and member-owners of FEED Cooperative.
  • Local Food Security & Agricultural Preservation: We are proud supporters of Committee on the Shelterless (COTS), LandPaths, and Ceres Community Project.

Sustainable Products & Packaging

  • Farm Shop & Tasting Room: Opened in 2021, our Farm Shop & Tasting Salon welcomes visitors to experience the farm’s seasonal offerings and learn about our organic products firsthand through tastings and farm tours.
  • Estate-Grown & Handcrafted: Our extra virgin olive oils are grown, milled, and bottled on-site. Our farm grown fruit, such as our number 2 and number 3 apples, which are not suitable for retail shelves for cosmetic reasons only, are processed into value-added farm products, such as fresh apple cider, apple cider syrup, pear and apple cider vinegars, and citrus shrubs. while our valueadded farm products. This ensures both ecological and economic sustainability of the farm, to support the long-term viability of growing fruit to process into delicious high value, shelf-stable farm products. All of Gold Ridge Organic Farms pantry staples are produced and packaged locally with values-aligned co-packers or in the kitchens at our organic farm.
  • Eco-Friendly Packaging: We prioritize sustainability in our packaging, using recyclable glass bottles and tins, biodegradable cups for tastings or washable materials in our tasting room, and minimizing plastic use throughout the farm. Packaging and shipping materials are recyclable and/or made with post-consumer paper materials. The kraft krinkle paper inside of your olive oil boxes can be repurposed as compost for your garden, bedding for small domestic mammals or birds, or in children’s art projects.