Our Story
Ortolana
or·to·là·na
grower of fruits and vegetables | vegetable garden
At the present moment, Ortolana Ranch: Plant-Based Homestead & Wellness Center is a dream in the making. A dream to live a more conscious, connected, and self-sufficient life, and to help others do the same. Here we will document our story as we make this dream a reality! Our vision is in loving tribute to Francesca Ortolan Wallace, mother of our co-founder, who passed untimely due to multiple sclerosis, an auto immune condition. The explosion of auto immune and other chronic disease in the developed world is largely due to our stressed, sedentary, overly sterilized, and indoor lives, as well as our nutrient poor diets with over-consumption of processed foods and animal products.
We want to change that.
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Home-grown plant foods, time spent outside and with animals, mindful movement, community, and meditation are the path to health. Ortolana Ranch: Plant-based Homestead & Wellness Center will shine a bright and constant light on this path for all who seek healing.
The Grower & Healer
Dr. Danielle Durant has studied plant-based nutrition for well over a decade, as well as Ayurvedic medicine, meditation, and yoga. She is currently earning a M.S. in Integrative Health Science, with certificates in Advanced Nutrition, Mind-Body Medicine, and Integrative Health Coaching. Dr. Durant is a young study of self-sufficient living but is eager to learn and share this journey.
The Builder & Caretaker
Matthew Wallace is a Civil Engineer and expert on distributed and renewable energy. He loves working with his hands and is eager to build the permaculture solutions the ranch needs to have a thriving and sustainable garden. He is also an aspiring bee keeper but with no bees, yet! Matt is a self-sufficient living newbie, as well, and will be openly and honestly sharing his perspective on this journey of discovery and learning.
