Land Lease Approved for Savannah's Organic Ranch

The final promise made to Savannah Sachen is one step closer to coming true. 

After several months, the two-thirds majority vote was reached, and delegates approved the Aliso Viejo Community Association's recommendation to lease land to Savannah's Organic Ranch. SOR plans to build an organic farm, community garden and educational center on a 24-acre piece of AVCA land off Wood Canyon.

Savannah Sachen lost her battle with cancer when she was 8 years old. She had dreamed of having her own organic ranch where other children and their families could come to have fun and learn how to eat healthy.

Savannah's parents, Joe and Lisa Sachen, promised to get their little girl her ranch—even if she couldn't be here to see it. The majority was reached  June 20, and the Sachens can now continue in their effort to fulfill Savannah's dream.

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Joe Sachen stood at the back of the council chambers at City Hall waiting to hear the results.

"I feel like I'm about to have a baby," he said.

After six delegate meetings gathering votes spread over four months, AVCA President Ross Chun joked that the results would be revealed at next month's meeting.

Then he read the final tally—1,779 new votes in favor, and none opposing. That brings the cumulative total to 10,984 in favor of the land lease—192 more than was required.

The crowd cheered as heads turned to look at Joe. He thanked the crowd  and began jumping.

"The room just erupted," Chun said. "There were 20 people in the room, but it sounded like 200."

Joe went outside to call Lisa.

"Put on your ranch boots," he told her on the phone.

A few minutes later, Lisa arrived at City Hall with their three children.

They all ran to Joe.

Josie, his daughter, started doing, as she put it, the "happy dance."

Joe joined her. 

"Savannah's proud of you tonight, baby," Lisa said, hugging him.

Lisa said she thought Savannah would have said this about the evening:  

"Good job, Mommy and Daddy. Now, let's get to work; we've got a lot to do." 

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Joe and Lisa formed a foundation, Savannah's Organic Ranch, to spread "Savannah's love and compassion" by providing DVD players and other goodies to children in the hospital. Savannah's Organic Garden teaches children lessons in organic farming and healthy eating by planting gardens in schools around the county.

The foundation's biggest adventure is about to embark. 

"Now is when the real work begins," Joe said.

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Read more about Savannah Sachen, the little girl behind the dream of Savannah's Organic Ranch.