​When we first started out, there weren't really any rules. Over the years, we've accumulated the following rules based on actual guest interactions. One year a group of families with many young children allowed the children to roam loose on the property. They entered the coops, took all the eggs that they could find and broke them all over the patio. Another year, a group of cyclists decided to bring all of their expensive gear into the home, scuffing up the walls.  You might be able to imagine what prompted some of these rules. 

 

1. Harvest Ridge Ranch is not pet-friendly.  Please ensure that you and your guests leave Fifi and Fido at home. Please do not allow guests to bring pets on to the ranch, even waiting in the car. If you need assistance with locating a pet sitter, please just let us know in advance and we'll try our best to help.

2. This is a working farm. While you are welcome to explore the grounds of our working farm, for biosecurity and animal welfare reasons, please do not enter any of the gated areas and work areas including the barn, chicken coop, pastures and orchard. Do not open or close any coop/barn doors, nor any gates. Access to gated areas and structures beyond the home are by explicit permission only.

3. The garage and pool equipment area are off limits; do not tamper with the networking, security or pool equipment. ​

4. Do not climb any fence.  This includes the short black fence around the house and the pool.  Parents, please instruct your children not to climb the fence as they are not intended for climbing.  Sure, if you have long legs and can step over the fence without grazing your crotch, you may do so.  

5. Do not chase, grab, snatch, harrass, torment or threaten any ranch animals at any time.  All of our livestock that are out and about are friendly. If you are fearful of chickens, poultry or goats, please consider staying at a different property. 

6. Children must be supervised at all times and are not allowed to roam the ranch without an adult present. 

7. Our Livestock Guardian Dogs, Sabrina and Thea, protect the ranch livestock from Coyotes, Bobcats, Foxes, Hawks and potential roaming pack dogs.  Our dogs are responsible for guarding the poultry and livestock.  Do not chase or attempt to catch any of the ranch animals as it will be seen as a threat.  

8. One dozen complimentary pastured eggs are waiting for you in the fridge.  If available, additional fresh eggs may be purchased for $9 per dozen; just ask. We are a production egg farm, so please do not enter the chicken coops or barn to collect any eggs on your own.

9. You are welcome to gather your non-meat, organic kitchen scraps into a large bowl for the chickens. Please check with the host before feeding scraps as we want to avoid feeding the dogs.  

10. If you’d like to interact with the goats and/or chickens, feeding time is in the early evening about 1-2 hours before sundown.  If the goats are up for it, you may brush and pet the goats as well. Please check with the caretaker. Closed toed shoes are required before entering the goat area. Photos of the ranch animals are always welcome. . ​

11. HVAC (A/C and Heat).  You agree not to set the thermostat to less than 68 degrees for cooling or above 72 for heating.  You will be responsible for any damages incurred as a result of setting the temperatures outside of these boundaries including loss of A/C or Heat without refund during the time that the issue can't be fixed. You agree that all windows and doors to the exterior shall remain closed when the A/C or Heat are in use.

12. Bicycles (and other outdoor equipment) are not to be brought inside. Guests may not bring bicycles or other outdoor equipment (kayaks, oars, fishing rods, auto repair tools/parts, etc.) into the home. If needed, secure them to the gate on the patio.  

 

TIPS: 

• Keep doors closed to help us keep bugs and critters out of the house. Small insect traps have been left out around the house to catch the few that wander in. Leaving doors open will allow unwanted pests like mice to enter the otherwise fully secured home. Please do not leave doors open. Ranch personnel reserve the right to enter in order to close doors and remind you not to do this.

• Before going to bed, ensure that all windows are closed to drown out the livestock guardian dog action in the evening and rooster crows in the morning .. unless you like to be woken very early.