At Camphill California, community members are responsible for maintaining seven acres of land on six properties within a two-mile radius, which include organic flower, herb, and vegetable gardens, as well as an orchard. Camphill California cultivates all of this land by following biodynamic and organic gardening practices that heal and revitalize the earth. Throughout the year we grow, harvest, and dry our herbs. In the winter months we process the herbs and produce teas, a culinary mix, and herb salt. 

Herb Crew is a well-established group that offers a wide range of tasks. As a crew, we think our main purpose is to create a therapeutic environment and, because of the genuine interest in learning new things observed among our crew members, we have extended our field of concentration beyond working only with herbs.  Since we have the opportunity to explore what else is growing on our property, we collaborate very successfully with our garden crew, which has resulted in some exciting new products. Depending on the season, the garden crew may have an abundance of garlic, onions, raspberries, basil, or kale, which inspires new products such as garlic and rosemary powder, onion salt, raspberry sugar, and veggie broth.

After creating new products, our community members get to test them, and we love to collect feedback. So far, our garlic and rosemary powder are a big hit!

Every year we have new volunteers and friends join us.  Resident Sara W is on the path of taking a leadership role in the crew as she learns and is encouraged to extend herself to assist other crew members.

All the Friends are very devoted to their part in the crew and seem to find the tasks meaningful and fulfilling.

At Camphill California, community members are responsible for maintaining seven acres of land on six properties within a two- mile radius, which include organic flower, herb, and vegetable gardens, as well as an orchard. Camphill California cultivates all of this land by following biodynamic and organic gardening practices that heal and revitalize the earth. Our houses enjoy the rich harvests year-round and incorporate these delectable fruits and vegetables into our meals whenever possible. 

Some of our members participate in the Weaving Studio, crafting a variety of hand-woven items. Our studio contains multiple looms with an assortment of organic cotton and wool threads, the weavers come up with gorgeous project ideas including wall hangings, blankets, table runners, shawls, tote bags, purses, rugs, and placemats – just to name a few!

Camphill California’s paper-making and felting Crews take place during the winter seasons. In the felting Crew, participants use a dry felting technique that requires them to mix and match dyed wool roving to create figurines or wool ‘paintings’ and then carefully press and poke it together. In the paper-making Crew, there is a task for everyone from the process of shredding and breaking down the paper to reforming, and drying recycled papers into usable product. Our artists tap into their creativity and decorate the paper with colors and materials, like leaves, flowers, seeds and magazine clippings, to create beautifully crafted paper and cards.

Once a week, the entire community comes together for a shared meal we call Lunch Café. A handful of our community members cook together to prepare a delicious organic meal for around 50 people. This meal is a wonderful opportunity for community members to catch up with one another and enjoy the company of good friends. Additionally, our community bakers get together twice a week and make fresh and delicious granola, rolls, pizza dough and much more for our community to enjoy.

This Crew is seasonal and processes various fruits, veggies and herbs from the Camphill gardens into kimchi, sauerkraut, jams, chutneys, pesto, and fermented and pickled vegetables. Aside from food grown at Camphill, this Crew also receives and processes generous food donations from Live Earth Farm, an organic CSA farm in Watsonville, California. We also partner with the Homeless Garden Project, Dirty Girl Farms and others to supplement when needed.