OUR FARMER CONNECTIONS HAVE DEEP ROOTS

From the ingredients in our menus to our day-to-day philosophy, we believe in the value of living and eating local. That’s why the backbone of the Inn’s supply chain is built on direct, personal connections with local farmers committed to sustainable methods and small-scale distribution that preserve the integrity of their craft.

So, whether you’re savoring award-winning valley-to-table cuisine at the Forbes Four-Star Olivella, immersing in a hands-on master class at The Farmhouse, or sampling a curated wine-tasting with local vintners, you’re tasting a cherished piece of Ojai history that’s been lovingly passed down through generations.

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OJAI ROOTS

Ojai’s rich farming heritage is a vital part of the Ojai Valley story. Ripe with micro-climates bearing citrus, avocado, stone fruits, olive oil, honey, lavender, and a wide smattering of specialty crops—like our own sweet Ojai Pixie—the diversity of Ojai’s bounty is rarely rivaled. Aptly named the “verdant valley,” this flourishing canvas is home to dozens of farms, ranches, and orchards that vary in age, size, and focus. All tied together by a shared trait that’s unique in our rapidly industrialized world: Ojai’s farms are all owned by family farmers.

From the early settlers who planted the first tree crops in the late 1800s to the new generations of organic growers who fuel our farmers markets, grocery stores, and the prized restaurants of Ojai’s prime food scene, Ojai’s farms are rooted in the timeless art of sharing fresh-from-the-field goodness grown here in our backyard.

a group of people posing for a photo a dirt path through a plantation a large pile of green fruit a white vegetable with green leaves

COLEMAN FAMILY FARMS

Spanning 18 acres across two farms in Ojai and Carpinteria, Coleman Family Farms thrives on an ever-growing passion for chemical-free agriculture. Founded in 1963 by the late Bill Coleman, the farm has transformed into a major fixture at farmers markets and restaurants for its experimental crops. With Bill’s son Romeo carrying on the legacy, its rows of famous greens feature a biodiversity of exotic herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers planted with local chefs in mind.

rows of plants in a greenhouse a bunch of strawberries in containers a man standing in a field of plants a group of purple flowers

FRECKER FARMS

Grown from sheer grit and a dream come true, Frecker Farms was started in 2013 by a then-25-year-old farmhand named Alex Frecker, who pooled his savings, signed the lease on a three-acre property in Carpinteria, and set out to start his own small, organic row crop farm. Since then, Frecker Farms has taken over one of the last large agriculture lands left in Carpinteria and grown into a 40-plus-acre Certified Organic farm with a small crew dedicated to the tenets and wonderment of sustainable growing practices.

From hand-harvesting all produce to growing the majority of transplants from seed, Frecker Farms touches the entire process of cultivation, growing vibrant, healthy vegetables and boutique crops for its community and neighbors.

a group of plants in boxes a group of people riding a trolley down a dirt road a group of corn on the cob a group of people working in a field

UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS

From its humble origins as a country road fruit stand in 1867, Underwood Family Farms has cultivated a reputation for high-quality produce and positive farm experiences on their sprawling 240 acres of working farms in Somis, Moorpark, and at 15 farmers markets throughout Ventura and L.A. Counties. Rooted in the traditional art of farming, the Underwood family legacy nurtures the finest in California citrus, berries, and a surplus of vegetables.