Green Gulch began its modern era one day shortly after the Second World War when George Wheelwright, a physicist and co-inventor of the Polaroid Land Camera, drove by the area with his wife Hope. The couple immediatly fell in love with the beauty of the land, and purchased the property soon after. 

For many years Wheelright worked the land to raise his prize Hereford bulls. In 1972, after his wife died, Wheelright refused to abandon the land to developers and instead opted to grant the property to a non-profit organization with the proviso that it be maintained as a working farm and that the trails were kept open to the public. Under these terms Wheelright sold the property to the Zen Center, whose stewardship over the ensuing years drew expert gardeners like Alan Chadwick from UCSC, who arrived to inspire the five original Green Gulch farmers with the fundamentals of biodynamic farming and French-intensive style organic horticulture.  

Thirty years later, Green Gulch is home to a Buddhist community founded in the practice of the Japanese Soto Zen tradition as taught by Suzuki Roshi. The community has transformed the barn into a Zendo, built a large kitchen, a dining room, a conference center and a guest house. The property is also home to an authentic Japanese Tea House and Tea Garden, and hosts numerous programs, lectures and classes open to the public.

But the centerpiece is still the Farm. All organically cultivated in row crops, with the second field given to hand-cultivated vegetables, Green Gulch is run by a dedicated band of volunteers. Working the fields in silence from 10:30 until 12.15 am breaking briefly for tea and a snack, remaining "mindfully present" and to concentrating fully on each action.  

After a daily lunch of their own produce, served with pasta or rice and at least one soup prepared from field produce and herbs they enjoy the vibrant food outside at long tables on a deck, under Redwoods surrounded by hills.  

Entry level guest students stay 1-2 weeks. Longer programs for apprentices run six months for the Garden and Farm and three months for other disciplines, including the kitchen program which has turned out some notable culinary talent over the years.  

The evenings are usually scheduled for studying or reading and in the summer, the apprentices will often walk out to Muir Beach and play guitar and sing. Green Gulch is local treasure, a unique place with a delicate, yet enduring beauty. It is a place where the land is allowed to speak profoundly, imparting to those who are able to listen a nurturing solace and a new respect for all life.

“Through our growing experience in farming and greeting guests we’ve come to acknowledge and appreciate the mystery of plants, the cycle of seasons, and the study of ourselves...which is Buddhism.”   noted Mick Sopko, Green Gulch co-director.