About us

Our journey is rooted in the pioneering efforts of La Milpa Organica and Stone Farms where the principles of organic farming, community, and environmental stewardship first took shape. These two initiatives inspired and guided us to work with the land in a responsible and regenerative way.

Even before that, the path had been laid out. Back in 1994, Jessica met Peter Brown (far left), who ran a nonprofit organization called Schools for Chiapas. Jessica was only 13 years old, but even at an early age, she had earned the nickname “Rebel Without a Cause.” The Zapatista Movement, through Schools for Chiapas, provided her with a cause.

Years later, Peter Brown’s friend Barry Logan (far right) received the opportunity to steward a farm in Escondido, CA. Peter invited Jessica to sow a garden of heirloom seeds Madre Semilla en Resistencia. It was then that Jessica’s life transformed. As soon as her hands touched the soil, she realized that the greatest act of rebellion she could make was to immerse herself in the new world she had just discovered.

Under the guidance of Barry Logan, La Milpa Organica demonstrated that farming could be an act of rebellion, a way to cultivate community, and a practice of care and respect for the land—a philosophy that resonated deeply with both David and Jessica.

Stone Farms continued along this path, deepening the exploration of sustainable practices that not only produce food but also heal the soil, with a focus on biodiversity and natural regeneration. It was here that David and Jessica were entrusted with significant responsibilities, offering them invaluable experiences that honed their skills and fostered their personal and professional growth.

These efforts laid the foundation for what would eventually become Terra Madre Gardens.

Before embarking on this journey, Jessica and David both worked traditional corporate jobs in a fast-paced business environment. However, they increasingly felt a disconnect between their daily work and their desire for something more meaningful. In a bold decision, during a phone call from their respective workplaces, they mutually agreed to leave their corporate careers behind. This decision marked not only the start of a new chapter in their professional lives but also a deepening of their commitment to each other. They were ready fully immerse themselves in farm life. Working and living on the farm allowed them to reconnect with their aspirations, talents, and each other, while also fostering a deeper relationship with the earth and their community.

Jessica’s strength lies in bringing people together and creating strong connections between the farm and its supporting community. Through her work with the land, the changing seasons, biodynamic practices, and her own ancestral, cultural, and traditional knowledge, she has developed a deep bond with themselves, the earth and the people around her.

Jessica's focus is to help others cultivate a meaningful relationship with themselves and the land. In addition to growing food and practicing Earth Tending, she offers women’s circles, New Moon and Full Moon gatherings, as well as Temazcal and Rites of Passage ceremonies. She believes that nature provides the perfect space for self-discovery and deeper connection with life. Holding space for growth and transformation through these ritual gatherings is deeply important to her, and she considers it an honor to support her community in such a meaningful way.

David Solomon, one of the cofounders, brings 20 years of experience in Organic Farm Management, Sustainable Earth Building techniques, and the fine arts. Trained and worked for 2 years at the Cal-Earth Institute for Earth Architecture helping build sample homes with earthen materials. Also trained with Dome Gaia Institute learning how to build homes using Aircrete technology.

For 5 years, Mr. Solomon trained at and helped manage La Milpa Organica in growing, harvesting, and selling produce. Duties included amending the soil, making compost and teas, direct seeding and greenhouse plantations, bed preparations, irrigation installations, weeding, harvesting, and selling at Farmers Markets throughout San Diego.

For 2 years worked at the non-profit Little Creek Acres developing a hands-on program using container beds to teach children from local schools in the Valley Center District. For 5 years Mr. Solomon managed Stone Farms for Stone Brewing, leading a team to grow food for restaurants, and herbs for craft beer batch brews, and overseeing weekly community events, classes, and workshops.

At Terra Madre Gardens, our mission is to produce healthy, nutritious food while honoring the environment. We are deeply committed to building a sustainable future through agriculture that respects the land and nourishes both the body and soul.We believe in the power of small-scale farming to create a lasting impact, one that nurtures both the land and the people who depend on it. 

For the last 20 years, Terra Madre Gardens, a small 19-acre farm located in North County San Diego has transformed the land previously used for a commercial flower operation to an organic farm that not only provides produce to CSA programs, Farmer's Markets, Distribution Centers, and low-income food access programs, but in addition, has transitioned into a space where one can reconnect with the land and experience and rediscover the symbiotic relationship we have with nature.

To accomplish this it highly prioritizes regenerative practices and has opened its doors to facilitate classes and community events that bridge the land, the tender, and the consumer revitalizing cultural and spiritual bonds to the land that are central to all cultures.

In early 2024, the landlord announced her decision to sell the land. Despite their best efforts, David and Jessica found the price too high to meet, making the dream of keeping the land out of reach. Leaving the land that had become their home and sanctuary was one of the hardest challenges they had ever faced. It was where they had cultivated not only crops but also deep connections with the earth, their community, and each other.

Though the decision to move on was heartbreaking, they left with hearts full of love and gratitude. Every inch of the land held memories of growth, learning, and transformation—both personal and communal. They carried with them the invaluable lessons, the deep bonds formed with the community, and the enduring connection to the soil that had supported them for so many years. As they stepped away from the land, they did so with profound appreciation for everything it had given them and a sense of hope for the future, knowing that their journey was far from over.

We have found a new piece of land that will soon become our home and a blank canvas for us to reimagine and recreate ourselves in an even more refined and meaningful way. This land offers a fresh beginning, where the lessons of the past and the hopes for the future converge. The vibrant community we’ve nurtured over the years is moving with us, and together we are ready to build something even more beautiful and profound.

This new chapter represents not just a change of location but a continuation of the shared journey we’ve been on—one where nature, people, and purpose come together in harmony. We invite you to join us as we once again roll up our sleeves, plant new seeds, and cultivate a future where the bonds between land, community, and spirit grow deeper and stronger. Let’s continue this journey of growth, resilience, and renewal, hand in hand with nature and one another.