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About Riverdance Farms, a family farm on the Merced River in Livingston, CA
Riverdance Farms is a 73-acre certified organic family farm on the lower Merced River in Livingston, California, owned by Cindy and Bill since 1996. They found the first 29 acres in December 1996: mature almond and walnut trees, a 70-year-old barn and a house on the river bluff across from McConnell State Park. Three weeks later the 1997 New Year's floods arrived, and one of the oldest valley oaks fell in the high water. It still rests along the river edge as habitat for birds, bats and insects. In 2000 they added the 44 acres next door, with at least 14 acres of river habitat to steward and about 30 acres to farm. Blueberries and cherries were planted in 2001, then walnuts and more berries in 2002.
How does Riverdance Farms farm?
Riverdance Farms is certified organic by CCOF, California Certified Organic Farmers, and Cindy has been a certified organic farmer since 1991. Cindy brings years of managing garden centers and teaching at Merced College. Bill brings decades as an independent agricultural consultant and farm manager. Good organic practice has always been regenerative: build the soil, welcome wildlife, and tread lightly where the animals live.
Soil fed with compost and cover crops
Compost, legume cover crops, seaweed and fish extracts, and mined natural minerals feed the soil. Prunings and food waste go back to the farm as compost or mulch.
CCOF certified organic
CCOF, founded in 1973, is one of the first organic certifiers in the US. In 2001, Riverdance helped create the USDA's National Organic Program.
Habitat for owls, bats and wood ducks
Nest boxes for barn owls, bats, kestrels and wood ducks, hedgerows for pollinators, a wildlife pond, and about 10 farm acres returned to native riparian plants.
