About our organic garlic farm
We're the Schallert family. We lost our home of twenty-four years to wildfire, found a patch of volcanic ground in Northern California, and rebuilt our lives around growing garlic. This is who we are and how we got here, starting with the man who started it all.
When God closes a door, He always leaves a window open. On October 8, 2017, He slammed the door shut. We barely survived the Tubbs Wildfire. The destruction was unbelievable, with 14,000 people burned out of their homes in less than 24 hours.
The open window led to the founding of Basaltic Farms. The farm sits at 3,300 feet and gets four true seasons. That matters for garlic: when it goes through at least 40 days of cold, freezing weather, the flavor deepens. We believe that cold is one of the keys to growing flavorful garlic.
Over the years we've come to love growing in this unique soil. Our family is dedicated to growing the world's finest garlic, using sustainable, chemical-free methods that honor both the land and your family's health.
Gene Schallert
Just turned 72 years old, I've been self-employed since age 21. I've owned and operated many types of businesses over the past 50 years. I have enjoyed growing vegetables since age 8 and got pretty good at feeding our family of 14 during my teen years. Our garlic family has now grown to more than 5500 customers as of 2024. We are proud that we only have 5 star reviews. Garlic is a very interesting plant and has been cultivated since time began and now has over 100 different viritals. So far we have grown 10 different types of garlic and we plan to add 2 or 3 new types each year. It takes about 3 years to grow enough garlic to sell to the public.
We are grateful that God has led us to this patch of land to care for.
Gene Schallert Founder and Dearly missed 1954 to 2025. Gene is in heaven with Jesus, finally free of pain, He fought cancer valiantly for many years before succumbing to his illness on December 30th 2025. His son Zack has stepped into his shoes and is taking on the role his father left for him. Zack, Kevin, Reagan and Caleb will continue to build the legacy Gene left for them and know they would have made him proud. Until we see you in heaven one day, we will always think of you and you will live on in the legacy you have left behind.
The fire that forged our farm
From Ashes to Abundance: How Wildfire Created Our Organic Garlic Farm
October 8, 2017, changed everything. The Tubbs Fire swept through Sonoma County with 68 mph winds. It destroyed 36,807 acres and 5,643 structures in hours, including our home of 24 years. Gene, Zack, Kevin, and Reagan lost everything material but gained crystal-clear purpose through the devastation.
Standing in those ashes, we faced unempathetic insurance adjusters trying to find ways to void people's policies. Our adjuster dared to say we burned our house down out of opportunity. They delayed making payments and forced us to move 13 times in 12 months. As you might imagine, this was not an easy time for anyone hit with a fire.
We ended up at the Tides Inn in Bodega Bay for several months during that time we had to figure out what was next. Since the 4 of us have lived together for the past 15 years we had to make a choice to either stay together or make new lives. We decided we had the enough talents to make an outstanding team to start a farm.
At the same time Caleb's life upended with a move across the country to a house that was not what was expected. He had to travel across the county yet again with his wife and 4 children in their minivan with all of their possessions and ended up settling in Houston Texas. Caleb has been an essential asset to the farm as our website would not exist if it wasn't for his care and dedication to family and his ability to see the big picture and the end goal. He may not be on the farm with his hands in the dirt but he is just as much a part of this team as the rest of us and we greatly appreciate his work and dedication to the farm.
The Search for Soil
From the comfort of the Tides we began the search for the right property. We found the farm listed on Zillow with 100 acres of pristine land at 3,300 feet elevation. After obtaining a soils report. We found nothing detrimental, and moved forward with purchasing the property.
The farmland was blessed with a combination of sandy loam and basaltic rock containing all the trace minerals from ancient lava flows that traveled 100 miles from Lava Beds National Park. While listening to a podcast from Ward Labs we discovered that all soils have all the minerals for growing anything. The secret is unlocking the minerals for plant uptake. Balancing cover crops provided the correct micro environment for growing exceptional garlic. So we just needed to get the blend right and Ward Labs helped lay out a cover crop map. So we have been mixing cover crops each year. It is a lot of fun planting and then getting an updated report to see the results.
Building from Nothing
The new houses on the farm are a far cry from what we used to live in, but we were always more interested in the soil than the housing. Fortunately the fire insurance gave us just enough to get the farm started. We bought all the equipment we needed, and we seem to add a little more each year now that we know what it's all for.
The first harvest, in 2019, proved our instincts right. The garlic grown in volcanic soil surpassed anything we had imagined. You can't learn much without making a few mistakes, and we made them. Leaving the garlic in the sun too long cooks the bulbs and turns them to mush very quickly. So don't do that.
Certification and Recognition
We decided early that to be successful we needed to be certified and a legitimate grower. In 2020, Basaltic Farms began the arduous process of certification. There were hundreds of conditions to meet and a great deal of paperwork. We satisfied every one and became real certified growers, able to display USDA Organic and CCOF certifications on all our products. The following year we added Real Organic Project certification, so we now hold three certifications and pass three annual on-site inspections. We're delighted to keep passing those rigorous inspections.
The fire that destroyed our old life gave birth to something extraordinary: a family farm that proves American agriculture can be both profitable and principled, productive and pure, with some good old hard work.
Meet the team
The heart of Basaltic Farms is a close-knit family team. Each person brings unique skills and a real commitment to growing exceptional organic garlic. Forged by adversity and united by purpose, we've built more than a farm; we've built a legacy of quality, integrity, and genuine care for the land we steward and the families we serve.
Zack S
CEO & Lead GrowerI've always had a green thumb. I grew up spending weekends in my grandfather's garden during the summer. I learned to love gardening as a kid. It wasn't until I got addicted to drinking tea that I started to really grow things again. After the fire, I found myself in McArthur, California. We all lost everything and were ready for a fresh start.
Gene's youngest son discovered his calling in these volcanic fields after losing everything in the wildfire. Zack now oversees all growing operations, soil management, and quality control behind the scenes. His attention to detail ensures every bulb meets our exacting standards. Recently engaged and planning his wedding in 2026, Zack dreams of building a multi-generational farm legacy.
Caleb S
Marketing Director & Digital StrategistGene's firstborn son manages our online presence from Houston, Texas, combining his SEO expertise with a lifelong passion for organic growing. Although miles away, he remains closely connected to farm operations through regular family video calls, helping to share our story with garlic lovers nationwide.
Like his father, Caleb has always felt connected to the soil. Since relocating to Texas after the wildfires, he maintains a modest garden despite the challenging heat, experimenting with composting and homemade compost teas. This firsthand experience with different growing conditions gives him unique insight as he oversees our digital strategy. He approaches everything with the same philosophy: the energy invested in the land directly reflects in the harvest, whether that's garlic bulbs or website visitors. Married to Tatiana with four children, Serenity, Phoebe, and twins Yinah and Jasper, he's ensuring our family's commitment to organic growing extends to the next generation.
Jennifer S
Branding & Creative MarketingGene's oldest daughter has stepped in to help out part time with our marketing and Basaltic Farms brand development. Her contributions have included artwork, visual design, and branding campaigns that help communicate our farm's authentic story. Her full-time job is executive director at The Rutherford Dust Society in Napa Valley, for the development of wines.
Reagan
Soil Health Expert & Farming SpecialistReagan joined the family about 15 years ago after applying for a job at our mini ranch in Santa Rosa. His first day blew us all away. No nonsense, and his super hard work was impressive. He is the kind of worker everyone wishes they hired. He also came with a respectful personality and a generous heart. So we took him in and had no regrets.
Reagan is our cover crop and soil specialist. He brings an infectious enthusiasm for regenerative agriculture and beneficial insects. First in the fields each morning, he manages our cover crop rotations, composts, and natural pest management systems. His podcast-fueled learning and hands-on dedication have elevated our soil health beyond certification requirements. We all love him too.
Kevin M
Master Mechanic & Equipment SpecialistKevin became best friends with Zack some 22 years ago when they were young teens. Kevin's mom died unexpectedly from cancer when he was 14. It was devastating, to say the least. He ended up staying at our house more and more. We have not been able to get rid of him. Joking aside, he has become a stable, healthy, and strong young man.
Kevin keeps our farm running smoothly with his mechanical expertise and engineering background. From tractor and harvesting equipment maintenance to irrigation systems, Kevin's problem-solving skills ensure our modern farming equipment supports optimal growing conditions. His dedication to precision and reliability makes him indispensable during critical planting and harvest seasons.
Jaxson S
Grandson & Summer CrewJaxson S is Jennifer's firstborn son and 1st grandson to Gene. He is 16 years old and just arrived on the farm on June 8, 2025. He is staying for the summer vacation. He was here last year, too, and was of great help. We love him, and he is a hard worker. He is deserving of an honorable mention here as he has been invaluable over the years when we needed help.
What sets Basaltic Farms apart
When you choose Basaltic Farms, you're not just buying garlic. You're investing in a small family farm that works year-round to bring you the best. There's a lot of unseen work that goes into making a farm sing, and we're always trying to work smart, pairing old-style farming methods (now called regenerative) with new technology. Our certified organic farm stands apart from corporate operations and imported alternatives. We build direct relationships with the people we grow for, and every bulb reflects that, from how we cultivate it to hand-selecting the finest bulbs in our curing barns.
Volcanic soil advantage
Our basaltic soil carries a full range of trace minerals, and our cover crops keep sulfur levels where they should be. The result is more potent, flavorful garlic that stores for 8 to 10 months when kept correctly.
Triple-certified purity
We carry three independent certifications: USDA Organic, CCOF, and Real Organic Project. Annual inspections keep us honest, with zero synthetic chemicals and no shortcuts.
Quality assurance
Every bulb is inspected for visible defects before it leaves the farm. We live on the land we grow on, so our standards aren't abstract; they're personal.
Regenerative growing methods
Cover crops, composting, and soil-building practices make the land better every year. We grow nutrient-dense garlic without synthetic inputs.
Farm-direct quality control
Every bulb is hand-selected for size and quality before it ships.
Our mission and values
To grow exceptional organic garlic that honors the volcanic land we steward, and to put pure, nutrient-dense food on tables across the country. Our regenerative practices build soil health and support biodiversity, and we hope they build lasting connections between our family and yours.
- Land stewardship first. We see ourselves as temporary caretakers of this land, and we mean to leave it healthier and more fertile than we found it. Our organic practices work with nature, not against it.
- Purity without compromise. Every decision on the farm starts with health: the health of our soil, our crops, and ultimately your family. We hold to organic standards that exceed USDA requirements.
- Family-centered agriculture. We're all first-generation farmers, and to us real farming is about relationships, with the land, with our crops, and especially with the families who trust us to grow their food.
- Continuous learning. From ancient farming wisdom to modern soil science, we never stop learning, and we share what we learn freely with fellow growers and home gardeners.
- Community impact. We support local food systems and teach sustainable growing, proving that a small family farm can stand alongside industrial agriculture while caring for the environment.
Future vision for the farm
Building a family legacy of sustainable agriculture. Our vision reaches far beyond growing exceptional garlic. We're building a model of family farming that shows small-scale, regenerative agriculture can thrive in modern America, building soil health, supporting biodiversity, and feeding families nationwide with pure, nutrient-dense food.
Expanding regenerative practices
Over the next five years we're refining the methods we use to manage cover crops and build habitat for beneficial insects. We hope to make the farm a demonstration site someday. Our goal is to reach 12% organic matter while keeping our garlic at premium quality.
Next generation leadership
We're hoping our kids catch the farming bug and want to carry this on. Over the past few years, two teenage boys have asked to work the farm over their summer vacations. That's a good start, even if it's hard to pry a cell phone out of their hands.
Helping other family farms
We're finding ways to help other families move to organic methods. So far we've helped five customers become working garlic farmers on their own acreage. Growing garlic is the easy part; you also have to sell it to stay in business. America is folding more organic food into its diet, and most of us have had our fill of imported garlic that once made up the bulk of what the country ate. Our goal is healthy food, and there's plenty of room in the garlic world for everyone to succeed. We've built sales avenues that work, and we'll teach you how to market what you grow.
Teaching what we've learned
Over the past six years we've learned an enormous amount about organic farming. We've reached out to specialty growers around the world and gleaned their secrets, and we're glad to pass it on. We keep updating the information on our site, through the blog, guides, and plain old phone calls, because we want to help families grow food safely. We've tried to make every mistake in the book so we can help you avoid a few of them.
Environmental stewardship
We believe in four biblical principles: ownership, responsibility, accountability, and reward. Ownership, in terms of stewardship, means God created and owns everything, and has placed us here to care for His creation. We've found His word leaves nothing out about how to farm and care for the land.
What families across the country say
From home gardeners planting their first cloves to chefs cooking restaurant-quality meals, our customers' stories mean everything to us.
Grow with us this season
Every bulb we ship is grown by our family on volcanic ground and certified organic three ways. Pre-orders open in March and ship in September, in time for fall planting.