ABOUT US
Rooted in Family. Grounded in Stewardship. Raised for Excellence.
Sweet Water Farm & Ranch Company was founded in 2017 by Michael, Samuel, and Joseph Santry — a father-and-sons team with a deep reverence for the land and a shared vision for a better food system. Our small, family-operated ranch in the Central Sierras was born out of a desire to live with intention, care for our environment, and contribute meaningfully to the world around us.
Our mission is simple: to raise exceptional food with integrity. We specialize in California Berkshire — a premium heritage product known for its deep flavor, rich marbling, and humane production. Every aspect of how we raise and care for our animals reflects our belief that quality food begins with respect: for the animal, the land, and the ecosystem that sustains us all.
At Sweet Water, stewardship isn’t just a responsibility — it’s a way of life. Our animals roam freely across open pastures and oak-studded woodlands, living as they were meant to — instinctively and naturally. Through regenerative grazing and mindful land management, we protect soil health, support biodiversity, and improve the environment we call home.
Choosing California Berkshire means more than choosing quality — it means supporting a movement. One rooted in sustainability, transparency, and the return to truly ethical, land-connected food. We invite you to be part of this next chapter in American ranching — where tradition meets innovation, and flavor reflects purpose.
NATURAL MOTIVATION
Reviving the American Family Ranch
Once the backbone of our nation, the American family farm sustained communities with healthy, homegrown food. But as technology advanced and economic opportunities shifted, many left the homestead behind. Over time, the family farm began to disappear — seemingly relegated to the past. Now, a new chapter is emerging as more people seek to reconnect with the health, integrity, and diversity that was lost when food production became industrialized and disconnected from local soils and small communities.
Today, consumers are awakening to what’s missing from much of our modern food. Nutritional value has declined. Transparency is scarce. And the industrial model often ignores the ethics and sustainability that mindful eaters demand. More and more people are seeking foods raised naturally, humanely, and with care for the land — turning back toward producers who value integrity over output.
In much of the food system, animals are confined and raised under inhumane conditions, while processing methods prioritize scale over quality. Produce, too, has changed — often genetically modified, less nutrient-dense, and grown in soils stripped of vitality and flooded with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. These practices don’t just harm food quality — they pollute water systems, weaken ecosystems, and damage our collective future.
It’s time to re-imagine our food — starting at the source.
At Sweet Water Farm & Ranch Co., we’re committed to being part of the solution.
We cultivate food that honors the land, respects the animals, and nourishes the people who depend on it. Our pasture-raised California Berkshire is a reflection of our belief in ethical, small-scale, family ranching — a choice that reconnects us to the food we eat and the environment we strive to protect.
As stewards of our land, we proudly uphold the principles of regenerative agriculture. It’s more than a method — it’s a mission to heal ecosystems, build healthier soil, and leave a legacy for the next generation. We’re honored to share a product that not only delivers exceptional quality but also supports a more resilient and sustainable food future.