Dan’s journey began in the vibrant Bay Area, where he grew up before earning an electrical engineering degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Returning to the Bay, he built a successful career as an engineer at Cisco Systems, later transitioning to Amazon. While working full-time, he pursued an MBA at Santa Clara University through evening classes, showcasing his drive and determination. Yet, the demands of this fast-paced lifestyle left him unfulfilled, sparking a dream to reconnect with a more meaningful way of living.
In 2015, Dan and his wife took their first steps by starting an urban mini-farm in their Santa Clara backyard, raising chickens and nurturing an orchard. The arrival of their first daughter in 2016 brought a pivotal realization: after long workweeks, Dan’s young daughter struggled to recognize him. This heartbreak prompted a profound reevaluation, leading the family to leave the Bay Area in 2018 for Placerville, where they embraced their vision of a small family farm.
Navigating various farming ventures, Dan faced challenges with regulatory hurdles but found his calling in ranching. In 2023, he relocated his growing family—now including four lively children—to a historic ranch in Cool, in operation since the 1890s. Today, Dan pours his heart into stewarding the land, caring for his Angus cattle and Kiko goats, and raising his children in a nurturing, hands-on environment. At Cool Pastures Ranch, he’s not just farming—he’s cultivating a legacy of quality, community, and connection to the land.
Miriam, a Bay Area native, cultivated a deep love for learning that led her to earn a degree in Classical Literature, followed by a Master’s in Education with a Language Arts teaching credential from UC Berkeley in 2009. Her passion for teaching blossomed as she inspired students across Peninsula schools, ultimately finding her niche as a 7th-grade English teacher at Dartmouth Middle School in San Jose. The nurturing aspect of teaching resonated most with Miriam, and when she learned she was expecting her first child, Leona, her focus naturally shifted to motherhood. With Leona’s arrival, Miriam embraced life as a full-time mom while tending to the family’s backyard mini-farm, sowing the seeds for a simpler, more connected lifestyle.
As Leona grew, Miriam and her family recognized the need for a change, prompting their move to Placerville and later to the historic Cool Pastures Ranch in Cool. Today, Miriam is living her lifelong dream of raising a large family, lovingly caring for her four children. She’s dedicated to nurturing the next generation with strength, wisdom, and strong moral values. In her rare quiet moments, Miriam finds joy in leisurely walks, capturing the natural beauty of their ranch through photography, and sharing the serene landscapes that surround their vibrant family life.
The reason we work so hard.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Hwy 193, Cool CA 95614