Film, food, fire talk, and line dancing bring the community together at the Mad Ag "Be Like a Sheep" Journal Launch Party in the Ojai Valley

The Mad Farmer Tour is rolling into the heart of the Ojai Valley for a gathering like no other. In partnership with Mad Agriculture, Cole Bush, and the Farmhand Foundation, Tractor Beverage Co. is proud to support an evening of connection, storytelling, and celebration for the latest Mad Agriculture Journal release - held at the historic Simoore Grange Hall.

Part party, part town hall, and entirely full of soul, the Be Like a Sheep: Mad Agriculture Journal Launch Party is a gathering rooted in purpose. It celebrates the latest edition of the Mad Agriculture Journal — a 72-page collection of essays, photography, poetry, and field dispatches that drifts toward the periphery, where new stories are born and regenerative ideas take root. The journal exists to support the regenerative agriculture community and invite others into its rhythms—and this event brings those pages to life. Over BBQ, short films, panel discussions, and organic beverages, guests will gather not just to read about the movement, but to feel it.

"We're excited to raise a glass with the Ojai community and celebrate what it means to be in relationship with the land," said Alex Ring, Community Director at Tractor Beverage Co. "Our partnership with Mad Agriculture is rooted in a shared belief that storytelling and soil care go hand in hand."

What to Expect:
• Craft cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks by Tractor Beverage Co. and Show Pony Bar
Free Tractor samples and a DIY Airstream drink station
• Santa Maria-style BBQ featuring local lamb and goat from Boek House Hearth & Husbandry
• Short film screenings: Herd Dances (Liam Pickhardt) and a new montage from Cole Bush, produced by Mad Media's Kirk Horton
• Panel discussion on resilience, climate, and land stewardship, featuring Cole Bush and voices from Tractor, fire safety, and local food systems
• Line dancing lessons and live music led by local legend Diane Anastasio — plus open dancing to close the night

Why It Matters:
This isn't just a journal launch. It's a moment to pause, connect, and listen to the land, to each other, and to the stories that shape our shared future. Against the backdrop of California's rugged beauty, we'll celebrate the ties between agriculture, climate, and community, while making space for music and a little honky tonk magic.

The Mad Farmer Airstream will be on site with cold drinks, warm smiles, and a reminder that meaningful change starts on the ground - with farmers, neighbors, and everyday folks who care.
100% of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Simoore Grange Hall, supporting the preservation of this historic gathering space and its role in strengthening community in the Ojai Valley.

Event Details:
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Simoore Grange Hall, Ojai, CA
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM PDT
$10/ ticket | Family-friendly | Local food & music | Rain or shine
To RSVP or learn more, visit: drinktractor.com

About Tractor Beverage Company
Farmer-founded and employee-owned, Tractor is built on the belief that a better food system starts with the land—and the people who care for it. Every beverage is crafted with certified organic ingredients and a commitment to supporting soil health. We're here to make drinks that taste great, serve real impact, and help raise awareness for regenerative practices that nourish both the earth and the communities it sustains.

Through the Farmhand Foundation, we support growers in their transition to organic farming and work to expand the domestic supply chain, ensuring farmers prosper, ecosystems thrive, and the regenerative organic market continues to grow. And with our Organic Impact Tracker, we provide unprecedented transparency into the environmental benefits of organic sourcing, helping partners see the measurable difference every sip makes.

For more information, visit drinktractor.com or follow @drinktractor on Instagram.