Community Rallies for Ruskey Children After Sudden Death of Good Land Organics Owners

A fundraising campaign has gained community support following the sudden deaths of Jay and Kristen Ruskey, owners of Good Land Organics. 

Jay Ruskey founded Good Land Organics in 1992. He and his wife, Kristen Ruskey, also owned Frinj Coffee, a “soil-to-cup” coffee company.

The couple died on February 8, 2026, leaving behind three children, Kasurina, Sean, and Aiden. The cause of their deaths was not immediately clear.

A fundraising campaign on GoFundMe has been launched to assist the family with funeral and memorial expenses, as well as the immediate financial needs of the three children during this difficult time.  

In a message accompanying the campaign, organizer Jose Caballero shared that the couple passed away suddenly due to a “tragic accident.”

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department confirmed this week that the Ruskeys died in Cambria on Sunday and a crime or foul play is not suspected.

Describing the Ruskeys as “caring and generous members” of the community, Caballero said the couple were always eager to support schools, causes, and friends.

In addition to their commitment to the community, the two were “loving and fiercely engaged parents” to their children. 

The fundraising campaign has a goal of $140,000 and has raised more than $101,000 so far. More than 600 people have made donations.

“Any donation, no matter how small, is deeply appreciated as we honor Jay and Kristen’s memory by supporting their children,” the organizers said. 

Caballero has organized the campaign on behalf of beneficiary Barbara Kieffe. 

As the community continues to contribute, the organizers thanked donors and encouraged community members to share the campaign to reach a wider audience.

Messages of condolences have been pouring in, with several local businesses sharing news of the couple’s sudden passing on social media. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Media firm Priz Media shared a promotional video of Frinj Coffee on Instagram and recounted its experience working with Jay Ruskey.

Sharing news of the couple’s death, The Steward, Santa Barbara, wrote in an Instagram post that the Ruskeys “reimagined what was possible for California agriculture around the world.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Located on the foothills of Santa Barbara, Good Land Organics is an exotic fruit and coffee farm overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The company specializes in growing rare and exotic fruit in California. 

The organic farm uses a layered agriculture system that utilizes crop diversity and maximizes the region’s hilly terrain. 

Good Land Organics is also the flagship farm and headquarters of Frinj Coffee. The business initially started out as a coffee program in 2012. 

The coffee business’s name is a nod to the farm’s ability to grow coffee on the fringe of traditional producing regions.

According to the company, 45% of Frinj’s revenue is shared directly with farmers. Under Jay Ruskey’s leadership, the company invested in intercropping and regenerative practices aimed at supporting farm health and coffee quality.

Frinj has collaborated with researchers at the University of California, Davis, to develop resilient growing systems.