Paicines Ranch Learning Center

Educating, inspiring and connecting people with new ideas and networks that advance soil health

Life in the soil is at the core of each gathering, convening and workshop that we hold.  And the land is our key collaborator in the work to solve complex ecological and social problems.  With our regenerative agricultural community, we are exploring and mapping a radically different path forward, and a commitment to educating ourselves.

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Upcoming Events

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EcoFarm Pre-Conference Field Day & Bus Tour

january 20 & 21, 2026

Join us on 1/20 for a compelling discussion on the proven value of diverse, integrated farming systems, drawing from on-farm research through the 1000 Farm Initiative. The next day, 1/21, Paicines Ranch will be one of three stops on this day-long bus tour.

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Regenerative Tree Nut Field Day

january 27-28, 2026

AT BURROUGHS FAMILY FARMS

Two full days in the orchards where farmers take the lead in sharing practical, hands-on approaches to regenerative agriculture.

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Low-Stress Livestock Handling Workshop

february 5-6, 2026

Save the date for this two-day workshop with Dawn Hnatow--a seasoned stockwoman who teaches practical, respectful, and highly effective ways to work with livestock.

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SRM Producer's Forum Field Day

february 8, 2026

We will be one of two host locations for the Society for Range Management Annual Meeting's Producer Forum Field Day. We will spend the day observing and discussing a blend of tradition and innovation within a California central coast context.

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Women in Ranching Confluence

march 13-14, 2026

Hosted by Women in Ranching (WIR) in partnership with the Paicines Ranch Learning Center, the WIR Confluence is designed to spark meaningful conversations and deepen connections to the land and one another.

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Capital Commons Summit

march 23-25, 2026

A 2-night, 3-day experiential learning opportunity for graduate students interested in valuation metrics beyond capital gains.

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Climate Farm School

march 23-28, 2026

Climate Farm School is the only on-farm, evidence-based, farmer-led experience built for working professionals ready to join the community leading food systems transformation.

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Gathering Fire Facilitation Training

May 5-7 & May 12-14, 2026

A transformational deep dive into facilitation skills for women leaders in rural communities who find themselves at the center of important and challenging conversations.

Applications/registration will open in early January.

Sign Up to Learn About Future Events!

Who We Are

We are a team of educators, farmers and ranchers, facilitators, ecologists, investors, designers, and storytellers who are passionate about bringing together people to connect with the land and eachother.

In the Words of Participants...

“Groundwork reconnected me with the reasons I originally became involved with the food system, and helped me to see pursuing regenerative agriculture as a career as far more possible and approachable than I really have before.”

 

- Groundwork Participant

I left the ranch with a sense of possibility and hope. And a list of stuff to get done. And a mind blown. Life ruined. You know.

- Learning Journey Participant

"The course was the closest thing to magic that I’ve experienced on zoom to date.”

 

- Groundwork Participant

"I am incredibly grateful to all of you who helped to organize and gather such an amazing group of people for such a wonderful interactive program. The interactivity, time on the land (hands in the soil), and for me especially, the time with the farmers were all transformational experiences."

- Health From the Soil Up Participant

"I really enjoyed hearing about the actual examples in the Beautiful Portfolio (and also I love this concept). I met quite a few people that I look forward to collaborating with in the future. I am excited by the idea of being able to leverage our grants and investments through collaboration."

- Learning Journey Participant

“Groundwork inspired me at a time when I really needed new ideas to revitalize my
experience of the food system. I’m so grateful for the connections I was able to make, the
diverse array of subject matter we covered, and the hundreds of vital ideas the program
sent through my mind every single day."

 

- Groundwork Participant

"Even during the short time I was on the ground in Paicines, I was inspired and energized to push the envelope of our work further. I am grateful to have had the chance to see your team in the context of the ranch—a beautiful landscape brimming with energy and biodiversity. I so appreciated the intentionality of the event—from the values-aligned catering, to the activities in the field, every moment was planned without being rigid."

- Learning Journey Participant

My biggest take away was how important it is to be in community with each other, testing and and iterating upon system design and shaping the words to tell the story of the movement we are building so that we can each take this experience outwards to our communities.

- Learning Journey Participant

"I left with more [than a sense of possibility and hope] -- I left with a sense of optimism that things could get done. And with the folks who were there, I believe we are the folks who CAN get things done."

- Learning Journey Participant

Support Our Work

Your support contributes to the development of new convenings and programs, and to our scholarships to help us ensure the participation of farmers, non-profits, students and other diverse voices and perspectives that are crucially important to our workshops and convenings.