Part of a local, parent-driven nonprofit organization, the Big Wave Farm invites and encourages our future residents to use their gifts and abilities, learn new skills, and integrate the Big Wave special needs community into our greater community.

The Farm: Our mission.

We are developing, maintaining, and improving a sustainable, year-round food production system that will help in supplying the daily requirement of fresh fruit, salad greens, vegetables, and eggs for our future residents. We are learning how to grow our own food and raise eggs in an organic and sustainable manner, including the Square Foot Gardening method.

We are developing farm-related  microbusinesses that will provide employment opportunities for adults with special needs. By developing and maintaining the land, we are giving our future residents an opportunity to experience our larger community while enjoying the opportunity to learn about nature.

The owners of Big Wave are sensitive to the fragile ecosystem of the land.
Ken Coverdell,Half Moon Bay

Our Methods.

Pesticide-Free

We use pesticide-free organic methods as a part of our commitment to the environment. One third of our soil mix is compost, which is rich in organic nutrients.

Design

Our garden is adaptable for different needs. We employ greenhouse gardening, raised and low beds, and a variety of garden methods.

Soil Conservation

We use peat moss, certified vermiculite, and Big Wave-made compost to preserve and improve the fertility of our soil.

Land Conservation

Conservation of the land is a significant goal for us.

Water Conservation

The very nature of environmentally-friendly compost is that it helps retain soil moisture, which reduces our need for water.

Food Production

We teach from the garden and we also utilize it for food production.

With 1 in 54 children now estimated to have autism spectrum disorder, community support is critical.
Jeff Gananian,Attorney
With 1 in 54 children now estimated to have autism spectrum disorder, community support is critical.
Jeff Gananian,Attorney

Farm Days: Welcoming and educating the community.

Including the community during our Farm Days encourages our neighbors and visitors to recognize the benefits of a pesticide-free garden and farm. This helps us safely maintain and improve the farm.

Farm Days are held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. We invite you to volunteer on fun projects ranging from construction of trellises and chicken coops, to planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables. See our contact page to inquire about volunteering.

With the COVID-19 outbreak, our events will be postponed until it is safe to resume. Please check back for updates.

Big Wave hosts day programs.

We serve four Bay Area day-programs that visit and work on a regular schedule. They help us plant vegetables and flowers, harvest strawberries, start seeds in the greenhouse, prepare beds for planting, and are involved in chicken duties.
 
These programs bring an average of 60 participants with special needs per day to the Big Wave Farm, for a total of about 49 hours/month. We will continue to serve and support many individuals with special needs. We even have a farm educator who works with our groups three times a week on garden education, science, life skills, and job training.

The Big Wave Farm Committee

Our Big Wave Farm committee members continue their education with other resources, including Garden for the Environment, Pie Ranch, CRAFT (small farmer education), Master Gardeners, and USDA.

Our committee also collaborates with other organic farms, takes classes, and attends conferences to improve our current gardening methods. We welcome input!

The Big Wave chickens are friendly and enjoy table scraps, like apple cores, banana peels, lettuce stalks, and even garden weeds as special treats. On farm days, the chickens are let out of their run to socialize and scratch. They might even follow you around as you weed to find juicy worms and beetles. Come down to the farm to meet them!

Come visit us and pick up some fresh produce and eggs!

Our residential plan calls for more than a five-acre parcel to be available for farming and egg production.

Water is a precious
resource on our land.
Jeff Peck,Big Wave CEO

More about the Big Wave Farm: Our story.

In 2011, we decided to farm a small plot on our Big Wave property. The intent was to learn how to grow fruits and vegetables in a sustainable manner for our upcoming residential community.

Traditional garden rows were tilled and then planted with blueberries, blackberries, and a variety of vegetables. The garden team was encouraged by the fact that there was rich soil and a plentiful source of water from a high-volume aquifer and a well.

The current farm supports raised beds, container gardening, vertical farming, and field rows for growing fruits and vegetables. Big Wave is host to several adult day programs five days a week to help participants learn about growing produce and practice job skills. In addition, Big Wave invites visitors from nearby schools, colleges, and local corporations to experience the farm.

COME VISIT US!

Big Wave leads hikes from the farm to the adjacent bluffs and beaches of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.