Blossoms & Bees
Old Portuguese farm finds new life in Pocket
By Corky Mau
August 2025
Four years ago, I wrote about an undeveloped Pocket property for sale. The 4-acre parcel stretched from Pocket Road to the Sacramento River. Descendants of Albert Mendes Rodgers, a Portuguese rancher, hoped new owners would restore the property to its former glory.
The parcel was sold in 2023 to Dawn McGuire and Aaron Burt. The buyers are siblings who envision an urban farm to honor the land’s history.
Now their long-range plans are underway. Outta Pocket Farm has chickens, ducks, beehives, artichokes, a pumpkin patch and “you pick” flower garden. Burt is a Kennedy High School graduate and general contractor. He says, “Our venture into urban farming has really taken a lot of dough outta our pockets.”
McGuire owned and operated Blooming Art, a local floral shop, and thought it made sense to cultivate flower plots on the farm.
My visit found rows of colorful, seasonal flowers. Customers include florists, floral designers, restaurants and the public. “You can create custom bouquets of flowers fresh from the field, a true farm-to-vase experience,” McGuire says.
Efforts to “declutter” the property are underway. Burt says, “We knew there would be challenges to clear and recondition the land. Masses of blackberry and grape vines have grown over neglected fruit and walnut trees. We’re clearing out dead trees to harvest more flowers and other edible crops. We’re also dealing with lots of deferred maintenance on the farmhouse and stable that were built in the 1880s.”
A few neighbors grumbled about noise from tractors, trucks and roosters. But McGuire says more typically the community gives support and positive words.
Kathy and Jaime Favila live next door. Kathy is a great-granddaughter of Albert Rodgers. Her mother was born in that 1880s farmhouse.
“We’re thrilled that Aaron and Dawn are breathing new life into the old family farm. It’s only a matter of time that the property will be restored back to its former glory,” Kathy says.
Plans include school field trips and holiday events. “We plan to expand our beehive area. Then we can increase our production of local honey, which is very popular with customers,” McGuire says. “We’d like to host workshops about sustainability and share the fruits of our labor with the community. Our mission is to cultivate the community alongside our flowers, pomegranate trees and pumpkins.”
The flower garden is open April through September, Monday to Friday, 8–11 a.m. at 7150 Pocket Road. For information, visit outtapocketfarm.com.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
