A Couple Moves Off Computers, On To the Land To Start Birdsong Orchards
From Pixels to Plums
Before they were farmers, Nadine Schaeffer and Jason Wehmhoener spent decades designing software in Silicon Valley. Over time, the digital world began to feel hollow—disconnected from the land, from food, from what truly mattered. In 2013, they bought eight weedy acres of fallow farmland and set out to plant an orchard, symbolically restoring the orchards of Santa Clara Valley that were cleared for development.
Diverse orchards at Birdsong.
Creating a Habitat for Birdsong
The name Birdsong Orchards came to Jason one morning while pruning young fruit trees. A flock of redwing blackbirds had landed nearby, their music filling the air. It felt like a sign—the land could once again be a haven for songbirds.
Inspired by that moment, Jason and Nadine committed to diversity. Plentiful fruit trees form the farm’s backbone: heirloom apples, rare pears, apricots, peaches, plums, figs, citrus, guavas, and more. A vibrant flower field of over 500 roses and dozens of other blooms supports pollinators, delights visitors, and attracts beneficial insects. “With the help of many hands,” Nadine wrote, “we took a barren hillside and turned it into a teeming ecosystem—one with flowers, fruit, birds, bees, and other pollinators.” Raptors now cruise overhead, while jackrabbits, coyotes, and the occasional golden eagle make appearances—proof the land is singing again.
Ecological Farming Practices
Birdsong is committed to organic and ecological growing. Every tree is cultivated without synthetic inputs, in soils nourished by compost and mulch. Success also comes down to matching the right plants to the right land. Pajaro Valley’s deep loam soils and reliable groundwater create ideal conditions for farming without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. “I feel extremely grateful for the immense good fortune of finding this place to grow and take care of,” Jason says.
Genetic diversity is central to the farm’s resilience. Birdsong grows multiple varieties of plums, pluots, and apples. This extends the harvest season and protects against pests and disease—problems which rarely spread across such a wide mix. Jason notes this isn’t a new idea: “If you travel to countries with more traditional farming, their farms look like ours. Very small and very diverse. Just like my grandparents did when they were farming for themselves.”
A Community Experience
Birdsong welcomes visitors from near and far. Volunteers arrive weekly to help with pruning, mulching, planting flowers, and caring for animals. Guests can take part in “you-pick” roses, strolling through rows of vibrant blooms, and meet the farm’s animal crew: Nigerian dwarf goats, llamas, emus, an alpaca, two dogs, and seven cats.
Continuing a Shared Dream
Birdsong was Jason and Nadine’s shared dream. In May 2025, Nadine passed away from stage IV ovarian cancer. Jason continues the work they began. “Although carrying on in Nadine’s absence has significant challenges, it feels right to continue our work in remembrance of her legacy.”
