THE PLACE
Otter Valley is a 100 acre, sunny, redwood lined floodplain valley in Comptche, CA. We are blessed with an abundant landscape with beautiful loamy soil, ample water, and coastal fog. Our hillsides are full of older second-growth coast redwoods and an understory of oak, madrone, huckleberry, ferns, sweetgrass, and a plethora of edible mushrooms.
Situated 15 miles from the Mendocino coast and 15 miles from the Anderson Valley wine region, the land is an oasis for bright lighters and fogeaters alike.
In Pomo, Comptche means “place in the sun” and that is what this farm is to us. The realization of a multigenerational, lifelong dream of tending to this landscape. Inspired by our more than human kin who steward this valley, we are growing into the mama bears who heal the ecosystem, our community, and ourselves.
WHAT WE DO
Our farm consists of 40+ acres of actively managed meadow lands where we graze goats, sheep, and cattle.
In our food forest, orchard, hoop houses, and annual planting area we grow a wide variety of delicious fruits and vegetables. Near our barn is our outdoor arena and event space.
We use regenerative practices such as rotational grazing, plant guilding, composting, and soil building. Everything we grow is organically grown.
Our goal is to be in a mutualistic relationship with our ecosystem. We know that if we eat good, everyone eats good.
WHO WE ARE
We are Margot, Riley, Nate, and Matt, a group of BFFs and land tenders responsible for this farm. At Otter Valley, ladies lead the way as we move back towards a matriarchal society.
We’re just four soil-worshiping young folks and our dogs, disillusioned with the patriarchal, capitalist system, working to feed our community and build something different.
Nathan Gilchrest
Coyote
Nate is a photographer, mushroom hunter, chicken daddy, and handyman extraordinaire.
He leads our chicken endeavors and helps with construction & infrastructure.
Margot Reisner
Otter
Margot is a chef, potter, plant nerd, ecological educator, and abolitionist.
She oversees all farm operations and also runs our gardens, orchards, and business/finance systems.
Riley Steidlmayer
Bear
Riley is an artist, herbal medicine witch, and sheep & cattle whisperer.
She manages our animal and administrative systems.
Matthew Rose-Stark
Hummingbird
Matt is a writer, multifaceted agrarian, grass nerd, and our resident cattle guy.
He handles infrastructure and cattle grazing.