48 acres hosted by Nan K.
Rainbow’s End Farm is a 50-acre certified organic farm located in the fertile coastal mountain region of Sonoma County, specializing in specialty crops, including fruits, berries, wild-crafted herbs and medicinal plants. Half the land is open meadows and farm land with several private residences and gardens. The lower half is forest preserve for Redwoods, Douglas Fur, Pine, Tan Oak and Bay Trees.
HISTORY AND FUN FACTS
1917 - 1930: The yellow farmhouse and three historic red barns were built from redwood trees on the land by members of the Italian Frati family. The farm had a large vineyard that was plowed under by the local Sheriff during prohibition. Most or all of the 1000 year old redwood trees were cut for homes in San Francisco.
1940 - 1950: The farm featured the largest cherry orchard in Sonoma County. Cherry blight in the 1960's killed most of the trees (too much morning fog). A large fire burned many of the old growth redwood stumps and surrounding forest in West County.
1951 - 1960: The land served as a cattle ranch and Apple orchard for the McNear family.
1970: A group purchased the land to build "Esalen North" and host interpersonal growth workshops. A legendary herbal gathering of some of the countries leading medicinal plant experts (founders of Traditional Medicinals and Celestial Seasonings), was held at this time.
1975: Don and Nan purchased the land and established a home-birthing clinic in the historic red barn at bottom of parking lot (make sure to look for the stained glass of baby in utero). In the ensuing decade, over 1,200 home births were attended and thousands of mothers and children were seen at the farm clinic. Nan plants her first permaculture gardens on the property (herbs, vegetables and raspberries).
1976 - 1986: The golden era of communal living commences. The farm is occupied by four families (East coast origins), Paul and Jerry and along with their motorcycle-leather-clad
weekend guests from the Castro, Jane and Rob with their ethnobotanical green house, mail order business (San Pedro cactus and plants from the Amazon), Stuart the blacksmith horse shoer, Bill and Susan the candlemakers, Juanita the home school teacher, a gypsy shoemaker living in his yellow bus, a 95 year old Huichol Indian shaman (Don Jose) leading weekend retreats, all night Payote ceremonies in the tepee, sweat lodges lead by old men from Navajo country, saunas and circle songs, meditation workshops, yoga classes, annual farm canoe trip on Russian River, children building forts in the forest, potlucks, and plenty of herb smoke — these were glorious times!
1987 - 2000: The quiet era — Nan retires from midwifery and becomes a full-time farmer. Couples fall in love, have more children, convert cabins into three bedroom homes, and get "real" jobs in town.
2000 - 2020: The family era; Farm inhabitants begin to drink coffee. Real chocolate makes a come-back (people throw out their carob chips). Men cut their long hair. Women begin to cook with white sugar instead of ground date sugar. In 2021 Nan turns 80!