The First Press: Adopt an Olive Tree
We planted 154 trees. Stacked across time.
A 60-year-old at the center. 25-year-olds surrounding her. Young trees coming up behind them.
Taking a diversity recipe card from Mother Nature herself, we’re planted a chaos blend. Olive oil from this grove will be supplied to schools and community kitchens at below-market pricing, keeping exceptional food grown close to home within reach of everyone.
The valley’s getting weirder. Water’s always tight.
Olives don’t mind.
Ojai’s been citrus for a long time. Still is.
There’s oil in the ground now, the good kind.
Moon + Oaks Farm
Moon + Oaks Farm is a living laboratory, managed by Farmhand Foundation.
It is also a community commons. Here, we test and demonstrate practical solutions that strengthen ecosystems, support farmers, and reconnect communities with the land. By restoring soil health, improving water and carbon cycles, fostering biodiversity, and honoring both Indigenous wisdom and modern science, we create real-world models that can be shared across our region.
Moon + Oaks exists not simply to grow food, but to grow knowledge, resilience, and relationships: demonstrating that when ecosystems flourish, farmers prosper, and communities thrive together.
“Building relationships with people and fire is key. We are in a sensitive curve of learning and relationship building and there’s people who have a lot of strong feelings about it.”
- Elena Rios
Cultural Burn Director + Specialist
Cultural Burn
When Indigenous cultural fire practitioners, local farmers, and scientists come together for a cultural burn in Ojai, California, an ancient practice becomes a blueprint for restoring the land. And a reminder that the way forward is together.
We are planning a cultural burn to happen on our farm in Spring 2027.
Moon + Oaks Farm (MO Farm) is inspired by the Chumash name for Ojai, which is derived from the Ventureño Chumash word ʼawhaý, meaning "moon"and Valley and Coastal Live Oaks, which are keystone species in the Ojai Valley.
MO Farm is a living commons where preservation meets innovation, and where soil, water, biomass and carbon cycles flourish supporting resilient habitats, abundant food, and strong community.
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