On a quiet hillside above town, Ma’alot Farms is steadily transforming raw land into one of Los Gatos’ most community-minded food sources. And while this young farm is still growing—literally—its team is gearing-up to serve local families this holiday season with fresh foods and handcrafted items.
Ma’alot Farms is led by Shoshana and Philip Ohriner, who run the working farm with their three sons and a small team. What began as a homesteading dream on a former walnut orchard has, over eight years, become a complex ecosystem of animals, orchards, perennials and community spaces. The Ohriners spent years living in a 399-square-foot tiny house on the property while cultivating the land, building a community space with living quarters and laying the foundations for the farm’s future.
For Shoshana, farming is a return to the practices that shaped her childhood, from berry-picking and jam-making with her family to five summers at Hidden Villa, the working farm and camp in Los Altos. Her background as a rabbi and hospital chaplain also informs her approach.
“Everything I’ve done leading up to this is about nourishing people in a holistic way,” she said.
Today, Ma’alot stretches across 16 acres, with about 10 of those dedicated to production. The farm raises goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys and occasionally quail, while cultivating more than 500 plant species—from currants and sour cherries to apricots, mangos and bananas. Diversity is intentional: with climate unpredictability increasing, the farm is built to withstand swings in temperature and weather.
Most crops are perennial, which means the farm’s major harvests are still ahead. Many of the trees were planted only recently, and full production isn’t expected until at least 2030. Even so, Ma’alot Farms is already regularly donating fresh produce through its partnership with Loaves & Fishes, which provides food to residents across Santa Clara County, each year. Shoshana says the food she and her team pick is usually in someone’s hand to eat within 48 hours.
As the orchard matures, their annual contribution is expected to rise significantly.
“We’re building toward the next 50-to-100 years of production,” Shoshana said. “This is about creating resilience and being producers rather than consumers.”
Visitors to Ma’alot Farms quickly learn that it is more than a farm; it’s a gathering space. The property includes a teaching kitchen, private and communal event areas, and long outdoor tables that host farm-to-table dinners. The food, prepared largely from ingredients grown onsite, reflects Shoshana’s passion for cooking and the craft of turning raw harvests into jams, broths, breads and seasonal dishes.
These events often feature tours or storytelling led by Philip, who brings people into the journey of restoring the land. The owners say their name, Ma’alot, comes from the Psalms of Ascent, and is meant to reflect physical elevation and the spiritual act of bringing land back to health and abundance.
This month, Ma’alot Farms is once again opening its gates to the community through its Holiday Artists’ Market on Dec. 7. Families can shop pottery, jewelry, glasswork, soaps and other handcrafted gifts while enjoying the farm stand’s fresh produce, pantry items and hot food. A cookie-decorating workshop and the ever-popular farm animal experience add to the festive atmosphere.
While the event offers a charming afternoon in the hills above Los Gatos, it’s also part of a broader seasonal effort: showcasing how the farm is preparing to nourish families year-round. Ma’alot Farms offers a variety of memberships that provide seasonal boxes of fresh and preserved foods, access to members-only events and farm engagement opportunities—options that make meaningful holiday gifts.
Despite its early successes, Shoshana emphasizes that Ma’alot Farms remains a work in progress. The orchards are young, the soil is still being restored, and the systems that will support large-scale food donations are only beginning to take shape.
But the farm’s mission—to cultivate sustainable food, deepen community connections and steward the land—feels firmly rooted.
“What we’re doing here is long-term,” she said. “Every year, our capacity grows. Every year, we have more to give.”
As Los Gatos families gather this holiday season, Ma’alot Farms stands ready—not just with gifts and events, but with a vision of a more resilient future.
