On Saturday, September 6th, 21 farms, ranches, and agricultural organizations across Santa Barbara County opened their doors for the 7th Annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day. Together, they welcomed more than 5,000 visitors, with an impressive 9,179 check-ins recorded throughout the day.

Organized by SEEAG (Students for Eco-Education & Agriculture), Farm Day gave farmers and ranchers the opportunity to share their stories, address common misconceptions about agriculture, and build lasting connections with the community. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and SEEAG donors, the event was completely free—ensuring equitable access to agricultural, environmental, and nutritional education while reconnecting people to the origins of their food.

Families and friends crisscrossed the county from Santa Maria to Carpinteria, enjoying hands-on activities, games, and learning experiences. Visitors sampled and took home more than 20,000 pounds of fresh produce. From tasting farm-fresh strawberries to walking lavender fields, the day was filled with discovery, joy, and community spirit—leaving people of all ages with a deeper connection to the hands and lands that feed us.

Read about the Farm Day highlights below!

Farm Day Highlights

Each location brought something special to share. Here’s how 21 farms, ranches, and ag organizations welcomed the community:

Allan Hancock College – Students shared about their education programs, showcased hands-on projects, and welcomed 8 community organization booths.
Babe Farms – Gave away thousands of pounds of produce to more than 1,000 attendees, plus hosted Veggie Rescue, Mexiforno Pizzas, and Amazing Grazing, all using farm-fresh ingredients.
Ballard Walnut Grove – Shared their family farm history, led walks through walnut and Christmas trees, and sold out their farm stand.
Bonipak Produce – Welcomed thousands of attendees alongside 10 partner booths, gave away 15,000+ pounds of produce (including 3,000+ clamshells of Driscoll’s berries), and led tours through their cooling and packing facility.
Central West Produce – Showcased their hydroponic strawberry system, gave away berries and merchandise, and hosted 6 community organization booths.
Farm Cart Organics – Shared their mission and organic growing process while offering tastes of their farm-fresh strawberries.
Folded Hills Winery – Gave guests a U-Pick opportunity, wine tastings, and visits with their farm animals.
Growing Grounds Farms – Highlighted their story and mission, showcased their work, offered U-Pick flowers, and gave away produce.
Growing Minds Farm – Created a kid-friendly space with rescue animals, fresh produce, and 3 community organization booths.
Las Cumbres Ranch – Led tours of their regenerative cattle ranch, featured a mobile farmers market giving away produce, and introduced guests to their farm animals.
Mark Richardson CTE Center – Showcased the district’s high school CTE pathways, engaged students with visitors, gave farm tours, and sold student-grown produce.
Plantel Nurseries – Offered guided tours into vegetable seedling production and gave away more than 15,000 seedlings.
Rancho Laguna Farms – Walked visitors through the strawberry production process and offered U-Pick berries.
Rancho Olivos – Guided groups through olive orchards, provided tastings, and sold out nearly their entire farm stand.
Reiter Affiliated Companies – Hosted tractor-led farm tours, highlighted their commitment to farmworker labor rights, and gifted thousands of berries.
Rincon Farms – Showed guests around their vertically integrated farm and packing house and gave away more than 500 avocados.
Riverbench Vineyard and Winery – Welcomed visitors with vineyard walks, explained winemaking, and offered complimentary tastings.
Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm – Showcased their lavender and flower fields, demonstrated oil-making, and taught about pollination with bees.
Sunrise Organic Farms – Led tours of their organic fields and shared their mission of providing produce to food banks across SBC, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties.
Tutti Frutti Farms – Guided tours of heirloom tomato fields, offered tastings, and showcased their walnut trees and cattle.
Wolfe Family Farms – Shared their mushroom growing process, vineyard, and provided U-Pick mushrooms alongside local food trucks.

From the farmers and ranchers who opened their gates, to the sponsors and donors who made this day possible, and the thousands of visitors who came ready to learn, taste, and explore. Together, we celebrated the beauty and importance of agriculture while strengthening the bond between our community and the hands & lands that feed us. We are deeply grateful for your support and can’t wait to welcome you back next year!