Take the Maricopa highway north from Ojai over the Santa Ynez Mountains and you will find one of the most scenic routes in Southern California. As you 
descend into the Cuyama Valley, urban traffic is a dim memory among sprawling ranches, orchards and vineyards.
Beyond a closed gate, down a private dirt road in the remote desert area of the valley is the Quail Springs Farm. Just 150 miles north of L.A., a handful of dedicated individuals have built a thriving 450-acre permaculture community in what was once a barren canyon.
Warren Brush, Cyndi Harvan and Kolmi Majumdar founded Quail Springs 11 years ago as an extension of their work with underprivileged urban youth. Inspired by the founders’ commitment, this non-profit community evolved to its current 16 residents, ranging in age from 20 through 55. Some, like Jan Smith and her husband Brenton Kelly, have chosen to leave successful businesses or careers in order to pursue a lifelong dream of land stewardship. Others, searching for social change, have found fulfillment in the Quail Springs experience. Youths encouraged by workshops have returned for internships and when those were up, elected to remain.
Visitors arriving at the property pass a large yurt, which serves as kitchen and community living room, to a shaded space set with long tables and chairs. Tiny cob buildings nestled among the cottonwoods house individual residents.
Grazing blue-eyed goats look up, perhaps in anticipation of their daily walk. Tall poplars and native black locusts border well-tended vegetable and herb gardens watered by a complete grey water system. Pomegranate, mulberry and apricot trees, and elderberry bushes are laden with seasonal ripening fruit. All food grown on this off-the-grid property is consumed by residents and guests.
Quail Springs residents are committed to nurturing young people and educating the public, both rural and urban, by introducing them to wildlife and ways of living in harmony with the natural environment. Their hands-on educational workshops—to which the the public is invited—include such varied topics as blacksmithing, ancient traditional hunting, natural building, permaculture design and other pursuits designed to reconnect humans with nature.
Their vision is that all who visit will absorb a bit of their passion for social responsibility and caring for the earth, carrying it back to share with their communities and pass on to future generations.
This article is a part of the Annual Food Issue 2015 issue of Whole Life Times.