Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Announces Signature Fall Fundraising Event: Forage & Feast with Rincon Hill Farm

Chef Daniel Kim and Rincon Hill Farm join the Garden for a foraged, farm-to-table feast supporting conservation and community

Santa Barbara, Calif. — Sept. 11, 2025 — Santa Barbara Botanic Garden invites the community to gather for a one-of-a-kind dinner party amidst its treasured landscape, at its signature fall fundraising event, Forage & Feast: From the Garden to the Table with Rincon Hill Farm, on Saturday, October 4, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. This intimate evening will celebrate California’s native plants while supporting the Garden’s mission to conserve native plants and habitats for the well-being of people and our planet.

The Garden is proud to partner with Rincon Hill Farm, the organic farm behind the future restaurant concepts at the iconic Palms building in Carpinteria led by former Restaurant at Meadowood alumni Ryan Sohn and Chef Daniel Kim, for this year’s Forage & Feast. Both organizations share a commitment to nurturing ecosystems, building a more resilient environment, and fostering community through sustainable practices. “Working with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden on this event just makes sense for us at Rincon Hill Farm,” said Chef Daniel Kim. “The way they care for the land and focus on resilience really lines up with how we approach farming and cooking. With our restaurants at the Palms coming soon, we’re excited to grow alongside a community that shares those same values.”

Guests will enjoy cocktails followed by a family-style, three-course meal created by Rincon Hill Farm, paired with award-winning wines from Story of Soil, whose wines are made in small batches, sourced exclusively from some of the best organically or biodynamically farmed vineyards in Santa Barbara County. The seasonal menu will showcase the farm’s organically grown produce and regenerative farming practices, complemented by carefully selected wines that highlight Santa Barbara County’s unique terroir.

“Forage & Feast raises vital funds that allow the Garden to continue its important work protecting native plants and habitats,” said Liz Raffensperger, Events and Marketing Project Manager for Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “What makes it so special is how it brings together our community around a shared table, with special partners like Rincon Hill Farm and Story of Soil, who share our commitment to the planet, and honor the connections between people and plants.”

Proceeds from Forage & Feast will directly support the Garden’s conservation, education, and research programs. With the strength of its partnerships and the support of donors, the Garden is rising to meet today’s ecological challenges—growing a greener, more resilient future from the roots up. For tickets and information please click here: https://sbbotanicgarden.org/classes-events/forage-feast-from-the-garden-to-the-table-with-rincon-hill-farm/

About Rincon Hill Farm

Rincon Hill Farm is the organic farm behind the future restaurant concepts at the iconic Palms building in Carpinteria led by former Restaurant at Meadowood alumni Ryan Sohn and Chef Daniel Kim. Rincon Hill Farm’s mission is to cultivate outstanding fruits and vegetables using organic methods, emphasizing soil health and regenerative agricultural practices. JADAM is short for Jayonul Damun Saramdul, a Korean phrase which means “people who resemble nature”. Rincon Hill employs JADAM techniques to develop living, biologically active soils that foster long-term productivity and resilience. By focusing on sustainability, natural inputs, and the stewardship of native microorganisms, the farmers establish a closed-loop system that improves crop quality, decreases environmental impact, and provides superior flavor and nutrition. Rincon Hill is dedicated to ongoing innovation in organic farming, delivering high-quality produce while supporting ecological balance, transparency, and long-lasting value for their community and partners. Learn more here: www.instagram.com/rinconhillfarm

About Story of Soil

Jessica Gasca’s Story of Soil focuses on single-vineyard, single-varietal wines that are as pure and honest as they come. From the beginning, her mission has been clear: to highlight the distinct character of each site and grape, crafted with intention, humility, and gratitude—three values that shape every bottle. Every wine is made in small batches, sourced exclusively from organically or biodynamically farmed vineyards—some of the best in Santa Barbara County. In the cellar, Jessica and her small team take a gentle, low-intervention approach, allowing place and vintage to lead the way. While nuanced and complex, the wines are ultimately just flat-out delicious—welcoming to a wide range of palates and are increasingly hard to get your hands on as demand grows. What began as a modest dream in 2012 has grown into one of the most beloved 3,000-case wineries in the region, and it’s easy to see why. Learn more here: storyofsoilwine.com