Jay and Kristen Ruskey — who pioneered California’s coffee-growing movement from their farm in the hills of western Goleta — both died suddenly on Sunday due to what’s being described as a “tragic accident.”
The co-founders of Frinj Coffee helped develop more than 70 coffee farms across Southern California based on what they learned at Good Land Organics, their farming operation atop Farren Road where the Ruskeys also tested now-popular exotic crops such as caviar limes and dragon fruit.
Frinj expanded quickly after its 2017 founding before having to restructure under bankruptcy in recent years. The company was back to full speed in 2026, and was the first California-grown coffee grower to ever compete in the Dubai Coffee Auction last month…