There were castles and cars in the Santa Rita Hills area as hundreds of Californianʼs took area farmers John and
Nadine deBruin up on their offer to "see where their food comes from".

The Santa Barbara couple sell their grass fed beef direct to customers at farmerʼs markets in Solvang, Lompoc,
Goleta, Pasadena and Studio City.  They have noticed that people seem to be increasingly interested in knowing more about the food they eat.  The popularity of the documentary "Food Inc." along with new ABC show "Jamie Oliverʼs Food Revolution" have contributed 
to this growing interest. "Our customers are very interested in sustainable farming practices along with the health advantages of grass fed beef. 
People want to know where their food comes from, that the animals are treated well and that what they are eating is good for them." said John.  

As a result, John and Nadine decided to give people the opportunity to see their operation first hand,
coming up with the idea to host an open house at their Santa Rita Hills area farm.

The promise of a free hamburger made with the deBruinʼs Best Beef Ever ground beef, along with
opportunity to see the farm and learn about the eco practices used in its management, was enough to
draw more than 300 people from as far away as Pasadena and Los Angeles.


John and Nadine made the open house an event.  There was a hay ride, petting zoo and a blow up castle for visiting kids to play in. 
Guests got to tour the farm and see firsthand the sustainability practices employed by the deBruins as cattle were moved from a depleted
pasture to a fresh pasture.  The cattle literally sprinted for the newly opened field with its long lush grass.

The deBruins also used the open house to introduce the newest editions to the farm.  Chickens are now part of the farmʼs ecofriendly practices. 
Placed on the pastures in special enclosures, the chickens clear the field of bugs while fertilizing the grass, keeping it lush and green for the cattle. 
The deBruins will begin selling chicken alongside their beef in just a few weeks time.

The deBruins see themselves as grass farmers who just so happen to have a bunch of cattle that love to eat it. In that sense, their farm is
kind of an all you can eat salad bar for cows.  

With Johnʼs background as an aerospace engineer, it seems inevitable that science and research would play a part on the ranch. From the outset the
deBruinʼs goal was to produce the healthiest, best tasting beef possible.  Research lead the couple to Joel Salatin who is featured in the documentary
Food Inc. as an example of how farming should be done. The sustainable and eco friendly practices the deBruins use in the management of their
farm and animals are based on how Salatin manages his Virginia farm.  The open house presentations showcased many of the positive things
being done on the farm that the deBruinʼs learned from Salatin.

The deBruins gave a seminar on their 8 step quality program that ensures the cows are happy and healthy, without the use of antibiotics or added hormones. 
John also spoke about how his love for cows and life long dream of being a farmer motivated him to start the farm with Nadine after after his retirement from aerospace.

Guests enjoyed a beautiful day in the Santa Rita Hills, well known for its fin Pinot Noir, learned about where their food comes from and enjoyed
a hamburger made with what the deBruins proudly proclaim is the Best Beef Ever.  Their customers couldnʼt agree more.