SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 2, 2025 – What started as one man’s dream to heal the land has grown into a national symbol of organic food and sustainable farming. Cascadian Farm’s roots stretch back over five decades to a small plot near the Skagit River in Washington State — and its journey is as inspiring as it is impactful.
One Man’s Vision to Change the Way We Farm
In 1972, 24-year-old Gene Kahn, a graduate student from Chicago, left behind city life to pursue a more meaningful mission. Inspired by books like Silent Spring and Diet for a Small Planet, he sought to grow food that worked with nature, not against it.
With no farming experience, Gene moved west, found a 51-acre abandoned property in the Cascade Mountains, and began farming organically.
“The original inspiration to begin Cascadian Farm was my conviction that our personal survival depended on ‘going back to the land,’” says Kahn. “After several years of tirelessly looking for a perfect location, I found an abandoned 51-acre property in a remote location that was being used as a dump site for cars, appliances, and garbage. There was no electricity and the house had no plumbing heat or windows remaining. [I thought] ‘Ah, perfection!’ and that is how the New Cascadian Survival and Reclamation Project began.”
Despite the skepticism of local farmers, Gene’s respectful, nature-first approach soon earned their guidance — a turning point that helped transform his passion into a purpose-driven success.
“The locals who were involved in agriculture thought of me as a ‘working hippie,’ and they tried to dissuade me from farming without agrochemicals. Afterall, I had chosen to farm in a temperate rainforest with 80-inches of annual precipitation,” says Kahn.
“The education they provided me, and their continual support had a lifesaving impact on the farm,” Kahn said.
From a VW Truck to a National Organic Brand
At first, Kahn sold his organic harvest out of the back of a VW truck to a small community of conscious eaters. His first customer in 1972 was PCC Community Markets — a co-op still supporting sustainable food today.
Little by little, the vision grew. Cascadian Farm evolved from a local favorite into one of America’s most recognized organic food brands, never wavering from its environmental values.
“The most important growth metric for me was not equivalent cases or sales dollars, but acres farmed organically.”
Milestones That Mark a Movement
Over the decades, Cascadian Farm has hit many meaningful milestones:
- Pioneered organic farming long before it became mainstream
- Partnered with like-minded organic farmers across the country
- Maintained a focus on biodiversity, soil health, and sustainability
And in 2022, a significant chapter closed and a new one began when General Mills donated the original Home Farm to Rodale Institute, a global leader in regenerative organic agriculture.
Staying True to Organic Roots
Today, Cascadian Farm continues to offer products made with certified organic ingredients, proudly sourced from farmers who respect nature’s balance.
Every Cascadian Farm product reflects a deep respect for the planet — from its cereal and granola bars to its frozen fruits and vegetables.
“That vision lives on in every partnership we support, every farmer we work with and every product that carries the Cascadian Farm name.”
A Legacy That Grows On
Cascadian Farm isn’t just about organic food — it’s about organic living. Gene Kahn’s passion planted more than just crops; it seeded a movement.
Now over 50 years later, his message remains loud and clear: sustainable farming isn’t a trend — it’s a necessity.
Learn more at CascadianFarm.com.