Jeremy & Megan Raff
In 2008, Jeremy left a corporate career to return to his family’s land in Lompoc to care for his aging grandfather — and to save a farm that was quietly declining. Megan came with him. What began as an act of family duty became a lifelong commitment to the land, their community, and sustainable agriculture.hundreds of agricultural exchange visitors each year, and are woven into the fabric of the Lompoc community in ways that go far beyond farming.
What this farm has built — documented in the public record
Here's what happened.
Dare 2 Dream Farms has been welcoming guests to our working farm since 2013 — beginning with our WWOOF agricultural exchange program and opening our farm to public tours in 2014. In 2017 we expanded to include Airbnb farm stay accommodations and farm events. In 2018, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted against pursuing a legal framework for farm-based lodging on agricultural properties — a decision one Supervisor later publicly admitted had the unintended effect of prohibiting farmstays countywide for years. We did not learn of this ruling until 2019. Rather than accept the situation, Jeremy joined the County's Farmstay Advisory Committee, led by Planning Commissioner John Parke, which developed the recommendations that eventually became the Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance. Despite that work, the County did not pass the ordinance until December 2024 — over five years later, and years past its originally projected 2021 effective date.
In December 2024, the County finally legalized farm-based short-term rentals on agricultural properties. We were relieved — until the same ordinance included language authorizing retroactive audits going back three years, with full penalties and interest. Our audit came back at approximately $65,000.
We appealed to the County Tax Collector, who confirmed they cannot change the amount. Our final appeal is before the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on July 7, 2025. Supervisor Joan Hartmann represents our district.
This retroactive assessment is particularly unjust in light of what this farm was doing during those same years. When COVID-19 closed restaurants and Lompoc families could not safely shop, the farm grew its CSA to 500% of previous capacity as an emergency community food operation. In 2024, it became the first CSA in Santa Barbara County to accept SNAP Online — now listed on the USDA’s own federal website alongside Amazon and Costco — so that food stamp recipients could access fresh local produce for the first time outside a physical store. Every month, excess produce goes to Veggie Rescue to feed families in need. The County is retroactively taxing a farm that was functioning as a community food security operation.
What Guests Say — In Their Own Words
These are real reviews from Hipcamp and Airbnb guests. The pattern is unmistakable: people come because it's a farm, and that's what they remember.
"My favorite part was hanging out with the farm animals and the old black puppy. The property was beautiful and the host and farmhands were very helpful."
"Loved sitting by the fire at night and drinking coffee on the deck in the morning while the cows cruised by. Peaceful and relaxing — close enough to town but far enough away."
"It was the perfect relaxing getaway! The farm stand had produce and eggs — all the animals seem very happy. Will definitely book again!"
"The farm is amazing to explore and the animals are a curiosity to watch them graze. The place felt homey. Would definitely return for a 2nd stay."
"We loved being surrounded by nature, bird watching, cooking outside, and seeing the cute cows and goats. Highly recommend — you won't want to leave!!"
"Cows meander right past the windows behind the house, and goats are eager to meet new friends and eat goat feed from your hands. This is a place for dreamers."
"The 1964 camper was a really lovely experience. Very clean and lots of amenities. The cows we did meet were very sweet neighbors! Hope to visit again on my next trip to California."
"Had a great stay at Dare 2 Dream's '73 Airstream! I also stopped by the farm stand and grabbed some fantastic eggs. Truly a gorgeous night looking up at the moon from the bed."
These guests booked a farm stay because it was a farm. These 2,281 guests chose a farm stay because it was a farm. Every listing is rated above 4.76★. Jeremy has been an Airbnb Superhost for 9 years. This is not a hotel — it is a decade of documented, community-loved agricultural hospitality that the Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance was designed to protect.
"What started as a dozen backyard chickens kept to occupy Jeremy Raff's elderly grandfather has evolved into a statewide chicken, egg and farm enterprise with deep roots in the Lompoc Valley."
Noozhawk · Journalist Laurie Jervis · January 2020
What the County's Own Record Shows
Every fact and quote below is sourced from Santa Barbara County Board meetings and local press — all verifiable public record.
"Cows meander right past the windows behind the house, and goats are eager to meet new friends and eat goat feed from your hands. This is a place for dreamers, with space to breathe and simplicity that offers respite from the day-to-day rush." (Dreamy Farmhouse listing · 589 guests, 4.84★)
What we're trying to do here is help existing agriculture with some additional uses with a very low permit level so they can stabilize their income during the ups and downs of what is a very difficult way to make a living, but the biggest industry in our county.
We don't want dispersed hotels on agricultural land. We want to create and serve these uses, protect agriculture, help people learn about it and appreciate it and want to protect it.
While I wanted to pursue a framework for a farmstay ordinance, when I voted with the majority I didn't mean to prohibit farmstays for … four years. So I'm anxious to move on.
⚖ The Core Inequity
The Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance that finally passed in December 2024 itself created TOT obligations as part of the new legal framework. The County is now retroactively collecting that same tax for the period when no legal framework, no permit pathway, and no compliance mechanism existed — and when the County had actively declined to create one. You cannot owe taxes under a legal structure that did not yet exist.
Choose the letter that fits your connection to the farm
Fill in your name and a few personal details
Review, personalize if you'd like, and hit send — we handle the rest
Employee
You've worked at the farm — full-time, part-time, or seasonal. Your letter speaks to jobs and livelihood in the Lompoc Valley.
Employee letterWWOOF Participant
You participated in the farm's work-exchange program. Your letter speaks to cultural exchange and agricultural education.
WWOOF letterCommunity Leader or Business Owner
You know the farm through the Chamber, Grange, farmers market, food access boards, CSA, or nonprofit work.
Community letterCustomer or Farm Community Member
You buy from our farm stand, CSA boxes, or have shopped at the Route One Farmers Market. Local food access matters to you.
Customer letterYour Information
Your Letter
This is exactly what will be sent to the County Board of Supervisors. Feel free to edit it — your own words make the biggest difference.
Ready to send?
Via: sbcob@countyofsb.org
Subject: Public Comment — TOT Appeal, Dare 2 Dream Farms, July 7 Board Meeting
A copy will be sent to your email address and blind-copied to the farm for our records. The Board of Supervisors will see your name and letter — not your email address.
Thank you — your letter is on its way.
Your public comment has been sent to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and will be part of our appeal record for the July 7, 2025 hearing.
We are deeply grateful for your support of our family and our farm.
You're also welcome to attend the hearing in person or submit additional comments directly to sbcob@countyofsb.org before June 7, 2025.