located at 1 Roberta Way, Coachella, CA

While Coachella usually brings to mind a multi-day music festival, it is also the home of Temalpakh Farm, a state and federally certified organic farm. This farm is unique in that it is located on reservation land by the Augustine Band of the Cahuilla Indians. Temalpakh translates to “from the earth” and their motto also adds “for the people” which brings their commitment of their farm to be food that is from the earth and safe for people.

The Augustine Band of the Cahuilla Indians is the smallest federally recognized indigenous tribe in the country. It took many decades for this farm to come into fruition. This reservation land was not respected for many decades and was used as a dumping ground. It was transformed by the efforts of Mary Ann Green, the tribal leader who also established a casino on the property. It was always her vision to start a farm on the reservation but did not live long enough to see the farm be completed. Her daughter currently runs the farm. With only a few years into farming on this land, Temalpakh Farm is already an impressive farm in the desert.

The farm has two greenhouses where their farmers begin the seeds to plant into the soil. All vegetables are started this way and grown on their grounds. The greenhouses have automated sprinklers that run twice a day.

Their farming equipment is state of the art with cleaning stations for all the produce and refrigeration units and generators. Their water quality is also checked for cleanliness by a member of the reservation water board on a daily basis. This equipment and temperature regulations help keep the farm in compliance with strict organic regulations.

As well as being an organic farm, Temalpakh Farm practices regenerative farming including the use of cover crops such as Sudan grass which grows long roots and helps uncompact the soil. And being in the middle of the desert, there are also wildlife such as rabbits and coyotes. Sudan grass and corn are planted as as a dense perimeter crop along the boundary to keep wildlife out.

There is also a planted strip along the farm that that has blooming sunflowers and other flowers which serves as a pollinator attractant. It is also a scenic beautiful garden trail during the walking tour of the farm.

While the farm has achieved several farming successes including dates, other produce such as berries and citrus fruits have been a little trickier for them due to their dry climate.

The farm has a market where they sell their products and an educational building for classes for adults and children. Products at their market include the items they grow at the farm: vegetables, dry beans, and dates. They also sell their fresh juice drinks and indigenous products from other local farms like hot sauce, herbal tea, soaps, and blankets.

Located just above the picnic area by the market is a walking trail and a scenic view on a hill. This outlook has sculptures made by Blake McFarland from recycled tires reclaimed from the former dumpsite and represents the seven adult members of the tribe.

Temalpakh Farm is one of the most completely realized farm from concept to application and the inclusion of the cultural aspects is an additional element not commonly found on farm tours. Spending time here, you will experience something different, an inclusion of the past into the present day future.

Tours for the farm is $15 per person and requires at least a 24 hour notification, sign up for a farm tour through their website.