The Ecology Center
32701 Alipaz Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 443 4223
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WE'VE ENGAGED... | |
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180,000 | On-Site |
65,000 | Children |
450,000 | Online |
500 | Artisans/ Farmers/ Chefs |
45 | Corporations |
700 | Volunteers |
2,400 | Donors |
CHANGE BEGINS IN OUR BACKYARD
Southern California once served as the bread and fruit basket of our nation, but today The Ecology Center is one of the only organic farms left in the county.
We have the rare opportunity to steward this unique fertile farmland by utilizing our seasoned skills in instructional and experiential design. Our aim is to not only shift culture and behavior, but also to inspire and set an example for entrepreneurs and organizations looking to develop similar projects within the region and beyond.
CHANGE BEGINS IN OUR BACKYARD
Southern California once served as the bread and fruit basket of our nation, but today The Ecology Center is one of the only organic farms left in the county.
We have the rare opportunity to steward this unique fertile farmland by utilizing our seasoned skills in instructional and experiential design. Our aim is to not only shift culture and behavior, but also to inspire and set an example for entrepreneurs and organizations looking to develop similar projects within the region and beyond.
The farm has been envisioned and designed as a living system, classroom, and laboratory for tomorrow’s leaders.
Here, we will share skills, perspectives, and experiences that all visitors can use to make a difference in their own lives, educations and professions. Some will dive deeper to become true change- makers and engaged advocates for our healthy future.
Towards this goal The Ecology Center will offer apprenticeships designed for intense vocational training with the focus to expand local food production throughout southern California. To ensure diversity and more systemic impact across the region, scholarships will provide access for underserved candidates who are often left behind.
The farm has been envisioned and designed as a living system, classroom, and laboratory for tomorrow’s leaders.
Here, we will share skills, perspectives, and experiences that all visitors can use to make a difference in their own lives, educations and professions. Some will dive deeper to become true change- makers and engaged advocates for our healthy future.
Towards this goal The Ecology Center will offer apprenticeships designed for intense vocational training with the focus to expand local food production throughout southern California. To ensure diversity and more systemic impact across the region, scholarships will provide access for underserved candidates who are often left behind.
GROW
Farming
From the field to the barn there are many ways to lend a hand to this land.
EAT
Farm Produce
Our Farm Stand is open daily to meet all of your culinary and household needs.
MAKE
Programs
We offer programming for all ages, check back soon as we add programs often.
Evan Marks | Executive Director
With his background in permaculture and agroecology, and, having worked extensively in California, Hawaii, and internationally in Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, Ghana, and Nigeria, Evan Marks knows that people have the ability to directly impact the environment through individual change.
“One day in Nigeria, Evan Marks had a realization that he wanted to go home and change the Orange County community where he grew up.
So Marks, a Newport Beach native and UC Santa Cruz graduate, repatriated himself and came upon a dirt lot in San Juan Capistrano. The property along Alipaz Street contained a very old palm tree, a very old citrus tree and an 1878 farmhouse, the oldest wooden structure in the city. The bare homestead had belonged to Pony Express rider Joel Congdon and was the site of the county’s first walnut grove. Now it belonged to the city. Nothing was happening there.
Marks saw potential. He had a vision to change that corner of the county, which was otherwise full of “cul-de-sacs and consumers,” as he puts it.”
– Los Angeles Times
Jonathan Zaidman | Engagement & Impact
Colleen Culhane | Community Engagement
Greg Foster | Education
Amanda Mahaffey | Mentorship
Heather Disher | Development
Bret Babos | Operations
Stephen Allison | Facilities
Francisco | Facilities
Joel | Facilities
Summer Kerr | Distribution
Mickee Avila | Farm Share
Gabrielle Saupe | Farm Share
Sean Kelley | Communications
Monica Hernandez | Communications
Nereo Zago | Art & Design
Andrew | Architecture
Debbie Hansen | Accounting
Johnny Wilson | Farm
Lauren Stanko | Farm
Mario Vallejo | Farm
Daniel | Farm
Damian | Farm
Isella | Farm
Alfredo Aguirre | Farm
Felipe Aguirre | Farm
Rube Delgado | Farm
Fabian Acension | Farm
Maria Garcia | Farm
Alfredo Valenica | Farm
Jose Contreres | Farm
Augustin Morales | Farm
Lorenzo Gonzales | Farm
Andres Hernandez | Farm
Flavio Romero | Farm
Oscar Leon | Farm
Gerardo Lima | Farm
Sonya | Farm
Lorenzo Gonzales | Farm
Brandon Wickes | Market Garden
Carra Duggan | Flowers
Cathryn | Encinitas
Ryan Peterson | Culinary
Amber Bewick | Culinary
Ali Wilson | Farm Stand
Jon Barnhill | Farm Stand
Katie Hibbard | Farm Stand
Joe Baird | Board Chairman
CEO, Rumiano Cheese
Kaitrin Cooper | Board Member
Entrepreneur & Philanthropist
Caitlin Wege | Board Member
Venture Capitalist and Philanthropist
Mark Magiera | Secretary
Operations, Chez Panisse Restaurant and Café (Retired)
Sara Lowell | Board Member
Marisla Foundation
Erin Brown | Treasurer
Managing Director, Pimco
Evan Marks | Board Member
Founder & Executive Director
Jimmy Peterson | Capital Campaign
Philanthropist
Karen Jaffe | Capital Campaign
Philanthropist
Jennifer Segerstrom | Capital Campaign
Philanthropist
Kelly Hallman | Capital Campaign
Philanthropist
Glenn Roberts
Anson Mills
Manuel Toscano
Zago
David Kennedy
Creative
Michael Besancon
Natural Foods Pioneer
Jack Algiere
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
Rick Bolton
Brand & Business Strategist
Cody Hudson
Artist
Jason Woodside
Artist
Kristin Morrison
Artist
The number and quality of donors, alliances and collaborations are testaments to both the Center’s relevance and effectiveness.
It is through the generosity and efforts of our community that the Center has been able to make a difference. As our grassroots membership grows, so does the financial and strategic support from foundations, business leaders, and public agencies including school districts. It tells us that we are on time, and it reminds us that this project will continue to flourish only with the combined efforts of passionate contributors.
Marisla Foundation
Shelia and Jim Peterson
The Cooperation Fund
Jaffe Family Foundation
Rosemary Kraemer Raitt Foundation
Vincent Smith & Victoria Flaherty
The Hexberg Family Foundation
Shea Family Foundation
The Living Peace Foundation
Wege Foundation
Tsao Family Foundation
Simpson PSB Fund
The Chuck and Ernestina Kreutzkamp Foundation
Anonymous Foundation
Keith and Judy Swayne Family Foundation
Lisa Argyros/Argyros Family Foundation
Patagonia
SDG&E
Alteryx
Anonymous Donor
OC Community Resilience Fund
The Ranch
Draper Family Foundation