Still No Final Decision on Savannah's Organic Ranch

Delegates had a quorum for the special vote Monday night to either approve or deny the Aliso Viejo Community Association's recommendation to lease land to Savannah's Organic Ranch.

Delegates had met Feb. 17 for the vote but failed to have a quorum. Although  this time the quorum requirement was met within 40 minutes of opening delegate registration, the two-thirds voter requirement was not reached. Monday's results will be carried over to another vote, scheduled for April 11.

Results from Monday's vote:

• 5,242 in favor
• 1,053 against

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Savannah Sachen lost her battle with cancer when she was 8 years old. She had dreamed of having her own organic ranch where other children and their families could come to have fun and learn how to eat healthy.

Savannah's parents, Joe and Lisa Sachen, promised to get their little girl her ranch—even if she couldn't be here to see it. They formed a foundation, Savannah's Organic Ranch, to spread "Savannah's love and compassion" by providing DVD players to children in the hospital. Savannah's Organic Garden teaches children lessons in organic farming and healthy eating by planting gardens in schools around the county.

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According to Ross Chun, AVCA president, a letter will be sent to the delegates asking them to attend the vote next month.

"I feel really good; we have about a 90 percent approval rating. It was a great night," Joe Sachen said after the vote. "I'm still cautiously optimistic. You don't need many people to make a difference. With this vote, just 10 people could change everything."

Bob Rieden, a friend of the Sachens and a Savannah's Organic Ranch chairman, was happy with the outcome of Monday's vote and is eager for the next step.

"We want to make a difference in not only the community, but in children's lives. Lets make a difference. This is going to be something we can hand down to our kids and then their kids. We are building a legacy."

Read more about Savannah, her dream and plans for the ranch.