Tucked away on a sprawling 700 acre property, you will find a husband and wife who are fighting to provide their local community with direct access to local agriculture. I know that sounds like it should not be difficult in the Santa Ynez Valley, but ironically those “local” sections of our grocery stores just don’t seem to be that local anymore. The cost of producing, processing, and applying a fair-priced mark up, coupled with the indifference of chain grocery stores who prefer to stick with their mass producing suppliers, there has grown to be a stark failure in the accessibility between the rancher or farmer next door and the average community consumer.
Cassidy and Markos Alexandrou of Motley Crew Ranch, are trying to bridge the gap between local farmers and the communities that surround them. With a background in environmental studies and evolutionary marine biology, you can guarantee that this ranch finds a passion for producing everything in a regenerative, humane, and purely healthy way. Motley Crew Ranch, named for the “motley crew” of more than 8 different species of animals you can find on the property, have been providing their quality non GMO, soy free, and corn free proteins in a convenient Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) monthly subscription box called the “Ranch Share”. The Ranch Shares are a subscription service for a monthly box of their pasture raised products from chicken, eggs, ever changing variety of meats, they have even managed to include a thriving Santa Barbara locally caught seafood option. This treasure chest of local, sustainable protein options was created with the local consumer in mind. They have found a unique niche in which both their strengths and love of sourcing their own foods, has become a life consuming passion.
Beyond their full time farming business, this unstoppable team of 1st generation farmers is determined to break through the middle man and work with local farmers to help provide a consistent place for the community to purchase local goods and produce. They have set their sights on opening a larger scale full-time marketplace conveniently located right off the 101 freeway in Buellton. This location will truly be the farm-stand of all farm-stands, with a focus on providing not only their own organic wares but also a variety of sundries that are unique and local to our agricultural centered valley.
One of their most important offerings will be their ability to offer custom cut and wrap for customers. This is a certified way for local small farmers to process their meats without having to journey over 2 animal-stressing hours to the nearest USDA processing facility. This helps farms who want an accessible selling outlet to the public, but are often out-priced by larger full-scale producers. This is unique to a community who prioritizes their health in a generational flip that pushes back on fast and easy. Cassidy described the first chicken she prepared after raising and culling it herself as “Mind blowing moment of ‘This is what meat is supposed to taste like’... I guess I have never had real chicken before.” Our Valley will soon be lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience and focus on choosing a known, healthy food source from our local farmer, thanks to Motley Crew Ranch!