Frequently asked questions
ABOUT US
When/how was Apricot Lane Farms founded?
It’s a compelling story! So much so that we made a feature documentary about it called The Biggest Little Farm. The film documents John and Molly’s early days on the farm regenerating our land and witnessing our ecosystem reawaken.
I’m interested in regenerative farming and agroecology, where should I start?
There’s a lot of info out there! Here’s a list of our recommended mentors, books, videos, and documentaries that have inspired the “lens” we use to see our farm and have helped inform many of our practices.
Will John & Molly come on my podcast/ TV show/ have a phone call with me?
For media or special project inquiries, please see our Press page, and kindly fill out this form. Due to the growing needs of the farm, availability is limited. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Can I volunteer or Intern on the farm?
Our volunteer program is currently on hold, but we appreciate your willingness to lend a helping hand.
How do I find my farming mentor?
There are lots of resources and programs for farming guidance, like our apprentice program and recommended resources page. You can also experience different farms and farming methods through WWOOF, researching farms in your community and staying curious, and asking lots of good questions along the way.
VISITING THE FARM
I’m in the area, can I stop by?
Unfortunately, as a busy working farm, we’re not able to receive spontaneous visitors. But, we do offer farm tours, which is a great way to come and see the farm and learn more about what we’re doing. Learn more about our tours here.
My school, organization, or group would like to book a private tour, how can we do that?
At the moment we’re not able to offer private or school tours, but hope to do so in the future. Find more information about our tour offerings here.
I got tickets to a tour, what now?
You should have received a confirmation after purchasing your tickets. On the week of the tour we will email you directions to the farm as well as information on what to bring. For any questions please feel free to contact tours@apricotlanefarms.com
Can I come film/photograph the farm?
As a busy working farm and complex ecosystem that’s currently producing a series, we can only grant permission to a very limited amount of outside filming or photography. We welcome your request, which you can make by filling out this form and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
WHERE TO BUY
Where can I buy your food?
Come find us at a local farmer’s market, where we offer our most robust selection of certified Organic & Biodynamic® produce from our gardens and orchards; pasture-raised beef, lamb, pork and chicken; and of course, our pastured eggs. We’re in Santa Monica on Wednesday, Thousand Oaks on Thursday, Ventura and the On-Farm Farmstand on Saturday, Ojai and Mar Vista on Sunday. Some of our produce, meat and products can also be found at select local grocers and a number of restaurants throughout the LA and Ventura County Area. Find more information on where to buy here.
Do you have an on-farm stand?
Yes, we have an On-Farm Farmstand on Saturdays from 10AM – 3PM when our tours are in session. You can subscribe to our newsletter to be first to know when it’s open for the season.
Do you ship your produce?
Not at this time, but we do have a few post-harvest products available for purchase (like our Avocado Oil and Honey Lemonades) in our online farm shop so you can get a taste of the farm from afar.
THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
How can I see The Biggest Little Farm movie and/or learn more about it?
The Biggest Little Farm is now available on DVD, Blu-ray, on-demand (AppleTV, Amazon, etc.), and is currently streaming on HBO Max. Copies for streaming can be purchased here or purchase a DVD or Blu-ray signed by John or Molly to support the farm from our online store here.
I live outside the U.S., is the film available in my country?
At this time The Biggest Little Farm is available in more than 20 countries outside the U.S., including Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, The UK, Spain, and Brazil.
I’m interested in organizing a group screening or hosting a private screening of The Biggest Little Farm for my company, nonprofit, community group or school.
Please do! The best way to host a private screening is through our group screening program. Enquire here.
I saw The Biggest Little Farm and am inspired to get involved in some way-- where should I start?
We’re so glad our epic journey inspires you to look for ways to reintegrate your own life with the forces of nature that surround us all. Here are some of the biggest little ways you can make an impact in your ecosystem!
WEB STORE
Do you ship outside the U.S.?
We only ship within the continental US at this time.
What’s your return policy for web store purchases?
We hope you love everything you order, but in case you don’t, you may return any product purchased on apricotlanefarms.com within 30 days from the date of purchase for a full refund. The returns must be in original packaging, unused (unworn, unwashed, unaltered). Along with the returned item(s), include your name, email address and order number. We do not accept returns for items for consumption
FARMING PRACTICES
What do you grow? How big is the farm?
Today our farm is 234-acres with over 100 varieties of fruit and nut trees in our orchards and over 160 varieties of vegetables, fruits, edible flowers and herbs in our market garden garden. We raise a variety of animals which we graze rotationally on our perennial pastures including cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, a horse, and free range guinea fowl.
What farming methods do you use?
While we’re Certified organic (CCOF) and Biodynamic (Demeter), we don’t limit ourselves to one “type” of farming and our methods borrow from many different philosophies, focusing on anything that works with our particular ecosystem. Our guiding farming principle is to treat the farm as a holistically contained ecosystem centered around regenerating the land, building soil, and enhancing biodiversity.
Why raise animals for meat? Why not just use them to build the soil?
While that is an option it is ultimately not feasible for our methods of rebuilding soil through rotational grazing. Building soil requires animal inputs. As the animals age they would begin to need more and more help to live, which overtime would become unsustainable for the farmer to maintain the resources and energy to keep aging sick animals alive — as anyone who has struggled to keep just one ailing family pet alive knows.
Why can’t you sell more eggs?
The number of eggs we are able to sell is directly correlated to the high value we place on our hens’ quality of life, as well as rebuilding the soil. If we put too many hens on our pasture, it will create an imbalance in the nature of our ecosystem, lessening the nutritional benefits of our eggs, our hens’ health, and thus a breakdown in the system.
Can you take my farm animal I no longer want?
Due to protocols to keep our animals healthy and limit the risk of introducing disease, we are unable to accept rescue farm animals.