Stewarding the Land

Nestled in Ojai, California, the ancestral land of the Chumash people - Gratitude Gardens is an orchard and medicinal plant cultivator dedicated to honoring the earth through sustainable stewardship and seasonal living.

Every item harvested from our garden is cultivated with care and respect for the environment, ensuring that our products are full of vitality and grown with the highest standards of sustainability. As stewards of the land, we are passionate about contributing to the local food system, supporting health and wellness through the food we grow, and fostering a deeper relationship with the land. Our farm is more than a place of cultivation—it is a sanctuary where the wisdom of the Earth and the healing power of plants commune, a place where elders from around the world have gathered in prayer and ceremony. We are honored to share the abundance of this sacred land with our community and patrons.

All of our naturopathic remedies are prepared by hand in small batches, each of the plants utilized are either grown organically on our farm or sustainably wild harvested. We carefully source all other ingredients, including alcohol, vinegar, oils, butters, and ensure they are fair-trade and organic.

Through our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, we offer locally grown fruit and medicinal herbs to families, creating a direct connection between the farm and the community. We also proudly serve wholesale accounts, providing fresh, high-quality produce and herbs to local businesses in Ventura County.

Medicinal Plants

Passion flower - Passiflora

Rosemary - Salvia rosmarinus

Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia

Lemongrass - Cymbopogon citratus

Calendula - Calendula officinalis

White Sage - Salvia apiana

Chrysanthemum - Dendranthema grandiflora

Oregano - Origanum vulgare

Thyme - Thymus vulgaris

Savory - Satureja hortensis

Spearmint - Mentha spicata

Hibiscus - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Green Tea Plant - Camellia sinensis

California Poppy - Eschscholzia californica

Rose Hips - Rosa canina

Wild Oats - Avena fatua

White Clover - Trifolium repens

Cilantro - Coriandrum sativum

Aloe - Aloe barbadensis miller

Ginger Root - Zingiber officinale

Rue - Ruta graveolens

Prickly Pear Cactus - Opuntia ficus-indica

Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis

Basil - Ocimum basilicum

Black Sage - Salvia mellifera

Goji Berry - Lycium barbarum

Lemon Verbena - Aloysia citrodora

Yerba Mansa - Anemopsis californica

Tobacco - Nicotiana tabacum

Clary Sage - Salvia sclarea

Borage - Borago officinalis

Plantain - Plantago major

Wild Lettuce - Lactuca virosa

Nettle - Urtica dioica

Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris

Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale

Mallow - Malva sylvestris

Fruits, Berries, Nuts

Santa Rose Plum

Pluot

Apricot

Peach

Asian Pear

Persian Mulberry

Pakistani Mulberry

Pakistani White Mulberry

Almond

English Black Walnuts

Raspberry

Strawberry

Blueberry

Lemon Guava

Fuji Apple

Arkansas Black Apple

Navel Orange

Pomelo

Avocado

Nectarine

Lemon

Fuyu Persimmon

Hachiya Persimmon

Passion Fruit

Banana

Pomegranate

Figs

Alison McKelvie Eakin, the founder of Gratitude Gardens, is a dedicated herbalist, energy healer, and advocate for sustainable living, with a deep commitment to holistic health and community service.

Alison’s journey into alternative healing began after a childhood diagnosis of a degenerative eye disease, which opened the door for a life long study of alternative medicine and the healing arts. Alison has been trained and certified to teach various modalities, including yoga, breathwork, Reiki, Qi Gong, herbal medicine and essential oils.  Alison has studied herbalism throughout her life and travels around the world including in India, South America, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Her approach emphasizes the profound healing potential of nature, with a focus on the interconnectedness of food, medicine, and well-being.  She believes strongly in Hippocrates' thoughts of, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” 

As an experienced farmer and homesteader, Alison has spent decades living off-grid, cultivating biodynamic gardens, and developing a deep connection with the land. She ran a farm in Colorado for many years where she milked cows, sold to local restaurants, farm markets and ran a successful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.  She now resides in Ojai, California, where she continues to grow her own food and create wildcrafted herbal remedies. 

In addition to her herbal practice, Alison is a founding board member of Sacred Indigenous Preservation (SIP), an organization dedicated to preserving North American indigenous culture, ceremonies, and sacred traditions . She has been a fire keeper for many years for the sweat lodge ceremonies and supports the local indigenous communities in many ways.  Alison is also a founding member of Vozes da Floresta, a non-profit that works to protect the Amazon rainforest and support the local indigenous communities to steward the forest, water, plants and animals to maintain a healthy ecosystem within the Brazilian rainforest. Through her involvement in these organizations, Alison contributes to the sustainability of vital cultural practices and environmental preservation.

A mother of three and a former member of the USA Adaptive Surf Team, Alison has supported and raised awareness for the blind and visually impaired community by competing in the surfing world championships for the Visually Impaired division.  With a passion for empowering others, she encourages individuals to overcome limitations and embrace their full potential. Whether through her herbal remedies, energy healing work, or commitment to non-profit initiatives, Alison is dedicated to helping others reconnect with their true selves, cultivate holistic well-being, and contribute to the greater good of the Earth and its communities.