The Location
Students live, learn and work at Rancho Tres Estrellas located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. Through a dynamic combination of in-classroom and hands-on learning experiences, students explore how organic food is grown and how the bountiful, nutrient dense products of the farm are used as food, medicine and more.
Tres Estrellas Organic Farm and Garden:
Tres Estrellas Organic Farm and Garden is a 35-year-old, 6-acre organic production and educational farm located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. The farm was founded and nurtured by Sarah Livia Brightwood, President of Rancho La Puerta. The permaculture influenced farm elegantly incorporates organic, biointensive fruit and vegetable production, agroforestry, agrobiodiversity conservation and animal husbandry to create an idyllic example of ecological agriculture. The Mediterranean climate of Tecate, with light winter frosts, allows year-round production of a great diversity of plants at Tres Estrellas. In addition to growing nutrient dense, organic produce, Tres Estrellas protects the immediate and surrounding natural resources by building carbon rich soil, protecting and recycling water and preventing topsoil erosion.
Tres Estrellas Organic Farm and Garden produces organic mixed fruits and vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, eggs, goat milk and cut flowers for three commercial kitchens. Fruits and vegetables are intensively planted in permanent raised beds that are strategically placed amongst perennial fruit and herb hedgerows. Egg laying chickens are located throughout the farm, providing organic eggs for the commercial kitchens, as well as helping to improve the health of the farm’s soil. The farm’s free-range Nigerian Dwarf goats provide the property with fire control through grazing, soil enhancement through manure production and fresh milk for consumption and cheese making.
El Cafecito and La Cocina Que Canta:
The two commercial kitchens located on Tres Estrellas property are El Cafecito and La Cocina Que Canta, or “The Kitchen That Sings”. Both kitchens serve as organic, plant-based culinary centers, as well as educational outlets.
El Cafecito promotes small-scale, local agriculture and a plant-based diet with its seasonally inspired menu and fresh produce harvested directly from the Tres Estrellas farm. The sale of value-added farm products and fresh produce at El Cafecito’s weekend market provide locals and tourists the option to support Tecate’s local food system and promote organic, plant-based eating.
La Cocina Que Canta inspires and teaches visitors about the seasonal use of fresh, organic produce and the health benefits of a plant-based diet. La Cocina Que Canta is an internationally recognized cooking school and culinary center whose world-renowned visiting chefs offer weekly cooking classes that incorporate the seasonal use of fresh fruits and vegetables from the farm.
Rancho La Puerta
Rancho La Puerta’s 4,000 acres include 40 miles of hiking trails, 32 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, and an organic farm with a cooking school. We have eleven gyms, four pools, a running track, as well as tennis, Pickleball, basketball and volleyball courts. There are three full-service holistic spas. Guests stay in 86 individual casitas peppered throughout the resort. As you walk winding brick paths, you’ll happen upon a wine bar, juice bar or art studio. There are countless indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, as well as WiFi lounges for dedicated screen time. As you wander further, you’ll discover a labyrinth, reflexology path and three dozen hammocks slung between the oaks.