Tragic Loss of Coffee Growing Innovators
Authorities are currently investigating the unexpected deaths of Jay and Kristen Ruskey, a couple renowned for their pioneering role in California’s coffee cultivation. The couple passed away at their residence in Cambria, located in Santa Barbara County, as confirmed by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department on Friday.
While the specific circumstances surrounding their deaths remain undisclosed, autopsies were conducted on Thursday, with results from toxicology tests anticipated in the coming weeks. Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Tony Cipolla noted that, at this moment, there are no indications that the deaths are suspicious.
Community Support and Legacy
In response to this devastating news, a fundraiser initiated to assist the Ruskey family with funeral and memorial expenses has garnered over $133,000 in donations by Friday afternoon. The couple leaves behind three children: Kasurina, aged 19, and 16-year-old twins Sean and Aiden.
The Ruskeys were instrumental in establishing more than 65 coffee farms across the region stretching from Santa Barbara to the northern parts of San Diego, cultivating 14 distinct coffee varieties. Jay Ruskey, in particular, gained recognition as the first farmer to market locally grown coffee in California, having founded Good Land Organics in the early 1990s, initially focusing on exotic fruit.
In 2017, they launched their coffee brand, Frinj. The venture gained momentum following Jay’s initial attempts in 2002 to cultivate coffee trees. His passion for adapting crops to unique environments led to partnerships with agricultural experts, which furthered coffee cultivation in Southern California.
Despite facing challenges such as filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024, when it declared liabilities exceeding $1.8 million against assets of approximately $215,000, the company managed to stabilize. Recently, Frinj Coffee made history by being the first coffee grower based in California to participate in an international auction for coffee, demonstrating the resilience and impact of the Ruskeys in the coffee industry.
