115 Acres in Ione, CA, 110 miles from the Ferry Plaza.

Charlie and Elizabeth Sowell

Charlie and Elizabeth became egg producers by accident. The couple raised pastured cattle on their ranch while running a feed and tack store. When a customer wasn't able to take home the chicks she ordered, they took the flock home. Now they have 1,900 laying hens, along with around 25 cows, in addition to the feed store. The hens are out on pasture all day and sleep indoors at night. Charlie moves their portable barns around 1 to 2 times per week, or as needed. He supplements the hens' diets with feed made entirely from US-grown grains.

The pasture is kept alive in the dry months using sprinkler irrigation.