About Us
Blue Ruby Farm
Philosophy
In many Western and indigenous cultures, groups in communities, commons, and tribes all participated in the tending, procurement, and preservation of food and resources. They exist at the intersection of the constructed idea of “wildness” and the civilized idea of cultivation. The land is not owned, it is stewarded to benefit its ecology and future generations. At Blue Ruby Farm, we draw from indigenous knowledge and the book of nature to bring our ecology into greater biodiversity and abundance.
We look to our experiences on the land, in observation and meditation, to guide us in making these reparations. This is what we like to call “cultivating wildness”. What is wildness? It’s everything: the common street tree, the worm-eating your apple, the dog chasing the squirrel, and everything in your built environment that was once “wild”. It’s you and me. The wildness of our ecosystems is an expression of us in our true state, surrounded by the constant cycling of many things in the process of being born, living, and dying simultaneously. These are the forces we work with every day, never far from our awareness. They are the energies we look to for creating and cultivating the beauty that is all around us. The beauty that is us.
Inspiration
Years ago, long before AirBnB, our search for respite from long hours in restaurants and catering led us to some choice places that inspired and reconnected us. In 2008 after a trip to Italy, further inspiration came from the agriturismi in the foothills of the Apennine mountains where farmers host, cook and dine with their guests. Food at its peak of “aliveness” and the nurturing communal experiences of the farms was the seed for this place.
We arrive here having gone through many trials and errors, incredible synchronicities, and intuitions. All of the experiences, from creating food and events at the highest level to small intimate dinners, have directed us to a different meaning of wealth and abundance: a space to connect with each other, the land– and to have the greatest restorative impact on both.
Your Hosts
Paul and Stephanie Ladeira both have backgrounds in restaurants, catering, and hospitality.
Paul’s cooking experience includes Michel Richard’s Citronelle, Aujourd’hui Boston, and Chez Panisse. He has also cooked with Jean-Louis Palladin and Julia Child. He currently divides his time as a private chef and land manager focusing on ecological restoration while Stephanie is fundraising for an international non-profit organization.
Observations
Coming Soon.
Wildlife
Blue Heron
The Mysterious Canus Lupus Familiaris
Great Egret
Red Shouldered Hawk
Wood Ducks
Beaver Dam Construction
Bobcat
Bobcat Hunting
Architecture
Explore the award-winning architecture firm, Vertebrae LA, who brought the owners of Blue Ruby Farm’s vision to life: https://www.vertebrae.la/
Location
Situated between Grass Valley and Marysville, off CA Highway 20, Blue Ruby Farm is in the Yuba County foothills town of Browns Valley. The community serves as a gateway to beautiful Sierra Foothill towns like Oregon House, where visitors will have access to some of the most amazing wines, olive oil, and nutrient-rich produce in Northern California.
Browns Valley is also close to Collins Lake, Bullards Bar, hiking trails, and the wild Yuba River. Or you can travel to Tahoe, Truckee, the Sierra Buttes, or Sacramento in just one 1 hour by car. The closest international airport is Sacramento International. Several smaller airports cater to private aircraft. Yuba County Airport in Olivehurst is the closest to us.
