Jay and Kristen Ruskey, California Coffee Pioneers, Die in Tragic Accident; Community Rallies for Their Three Children

 Santa Barbara County’s agricultural community is mourning the sudden and tragic loss of Jay and Kristen Ruskey, innovative farmers and co-founders of Frinj Coffee, who died Sunday in an accident that has left their three teenage children without parents.

The Ruskeys were widely recognized as pioneers in bringing coffee cultivation to California, transforming what many once believed impossible into a thriving agricultural movement. Operating Good Land Organics on Farren Road in western Goleta, the couple dedicated years to developing regenerative farming practices and introducing specialty crops such as caviar limes, dragon fruit, and specialty coffee varieties to the region.

Through Frinj Coffee, they helped establish more than 70 coffee farms across Southern California, building a network of growers committed to innovation and sustainability. Their work recently gained international acclaim at the Dubai Coffee Auction, where their beans sold for an extraordinary $356 per kilogram to Japan’s Phylocoffee — a milestone moment not only for their farm but for California-grown coffee as a whole. After facing financial challenges in earlier years, Frinj Coffee had rebounded strongly in 2026, marking a promising new chapter that was tragically cut short.

Beyond their agricultural achievements, Jay and Kristen were remembered as generous and deeply community-oriented individuals. Friends and neighbors described them as pillars of Goleta and the broader Santa Barbara County farming community. They actively supported local schools, charities, and families in need, often stepping in quietly to offer help without seeking recognition.

Their sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the region’s farming and small business communities, where their vision and mentorship had inspired countless others.

In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign organized by Jose Caballero of Goleta has raised more than $65,000 as of Tuesday to help cover funeral expenses, memorial costs, and immediate financial needs for their children — Kasurina, Sean, and Aiden. The campaign describes the loss as unimaginable, reflecting the deep sorrow felt by family, friends, and supporters.

As the community grieves, many are reflecting on the legacy Jay and Kristen leave behind — not only in the coffee trees now growing across California but in the lives they touched through their generosity, innovation, and unwavering belief in sustainable agriculture.

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