Malibu Children Enjoy a Local Ranch Experience

Alice's Place at One Gun Ranch in Malibu, a farm using biodynamic gardening principles, hosted its inaugural school tour last week for students from .

Education at the ranch focuses on biodynamic farming methods, the importance of eating fresh and healthy food as well as environmental stewardship.

About 25 children enjoyed the rugged ranch, which is a cathedral of nature nestled in the Malibu hills near Rambla Pacifico. Its 11 acres are filled with boulders, native plants and views of the Pacific.

One Gun's resident miniature donkey Waffle, who was donned in a handsome red handkerchief, greeted the children. Waffle, a yo-yo dieter, had his fair share of exercise by giving rides to the children.

Student Turner Principe said, "I love Waffle! I want to take him home!"

Children walked the hilly property and found their way to the Secret Garden, where Jack McAndrew—longtime Topanga resident and biodynamic farming guru—was on hand to guide the children in using biodynamic compost to plant their own pots of radishes and lettuce.

McAndrew said, "There is nothing better than having children in a garden. They bring magic and love to an already beautiful place."

All of the compost used at One Gun Ranch is made on the property according to biodynamic principles, with ingredients such as dairy cow manure, chamomile, valerian flowers, oak bark, stinging nettle and alfalfa.

Biodynamic gardening principles are based on the concept that all parts of a farm are living organisms, each with a purpose and of use to support farm sustainability.

McAndrew said that biodynamic farming follows lunar, solar and planetary guidelines. Rudolf Steiner, who founded biodynamic farming in 1924, taught that certain days of the month are ideal for planting particular crops, such as when the Moon is waning.

After enjoying the garden, children explored the cactus and gorgeous rock formations surrounding the ranch. Waiting around a corner were the ranch animals, including three horses, two miniature goats, three sheep, a half-dozen sweet dogs and Waffle.

The tour came to a close in the Native American teepee located on ranch land, where children relaxed and listened to a story about lunar cycles.

Upon departing, 4-year-old Olivia Berns asked, "Can we come back tomorrow?"

For more information about school tours and other ranch happenings, contact One Gun Ranch at 310-456-3810. 

Longtime Malibu resident Julie Fulmer Wallach is the ranch director at One Gun Ranch.