Sandy Loam is excited to announce a new partnership with Sonoma County Ag + Open Space to launch Gathered Leaves, an initiative that expands access to farms and nature for people with increased care needs.

We believe that farms and nature are foundational determinants of health and wellbeing. Likewise, healthy food systems and resilient landscapes depend upon active community and environmental stewardship. These reciprocal relationships should be open to everyone, regardless of age, socioeconomic background, or physical or developmental ability. Through this partnership, Sandy Loam will develop two new programs:

Gathered Leaves Livelihoods: A farm- and nature-based workforce readiness program for young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Participants develop practical job skills through floriculture, ecological stewardship, habitat restoration, and land-based work.

Gathered Leaves Teahouse: A bilingual program that brings older adults together through nature, art, gentle movement, tea, and conversation to promote wellbeing, creativity, and connection to both community and the natural world.

About Sonoma County Ag + Open Space

Sonoma County Ag + Open Space is a community-created, taxpayer-funded special district dedicated to protecting Sonoma County’s farms, ranches, natural lands, and places for public access and recreation. Through partnerships with organizations across the county, Ag + Open Space helps ensure that conserved lands provide lasting benefits for wildlife, agriculture, climate resilience, and community wellbeing.

We are grateful to Ag + Open Space for investing in a vision that demonstrates how conserved lands can support not only healthy ecosystems, but healthier, more connected communities.

Sandy Loam is excited to announce a new collaboration with Common Ground Society to bring Belonging from the Start to Veronda-Falletti Ranch in Cotati.

Funded by First 5 Sonoma County, Belonging from the Start is a free, inclusive, nature-based playgroup and caregiver education program for families with children ages 0–5. Designed around the belief that every child deserves to belong from the very beginning, the program creates welcoming opportunities for children of all abilities to explore, play, and grow together while caregivers build meaningful connections and access valuable resources.

Hosted in the beautiful natural setting of Veronda-Falletti Ranch, the program combines sensory-rich outdoor experiences, child-led exploration, and family education in a supportive community environment. By bringing families together in nature, Belonging from the Start strengthens early relationships, fosters inclusion, and helps ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

About Common Ground Society

Common Ground Society is dedicated to building communities where every child and family feels seen, supported, and included. Through innovative partnerships and community-based programs, the organization works to improve outcomes for young children by promoting belonging, early connection, and equitable access to resources and opportunities.

We are deeply grateful to Common Ground Society, First 5 Sonoma County and our steadfast partners at the City of Cotati for making this partnership possible and look forward to welcoming families to the Ranch.