FARM TOUR 2022: ANNA’S ORGANICS
Driving through the Central Valley in the Spring produces a powerful feeling. Through the endless groves of almonds, citrus, and stone fruit, past the dairy operations and next to the grazing cattle... it's the most agriculturally productive part of our country, and yet it’s hard to ignore how tired the soil looks – cracked and dry, without a single weed in sight, under row after row of flowering trees.
But our growers are different. While they all spoke of water realities, touring their stone fruit groves revealed stark and hopeful examples of organic farming in the Valley: trees surrounded by lush greenery, healthy ecosystems humming with life, and dedicated stewards of the land. As well as, of course, what is sure to be the best tasting fruit around!
We first met with Anna’s Organics, a new grower partner located near Chowchilla, CA. With about 60 acres smack in the middle of conventional fruit groves, we were greeted by a hand-painted sign: “Organic farm, do not spray”, a necessary reminder as a blaring crop duster circled the fields next door. The plane made dramatic turns, drawing our attention as it drowned out our conversations with noise. When we asked, they ensured us that local patrols work to enforce buffer zones and protect the organic production from chemicals. But the scenario provided a palpable frame for what organic growers in the Valley can be up against.
Outside of their small pack-shed we met Manuel, father and principal grower, Luis, his son who takes care of sales, Anna, his daughter in charge of business and organic compliance, and their mother: quality control, and operations. It’s a true family-run business!
Manuel has been farming since he was 12 years old and farming organically for 12 years. With their access to irrigation water in addition to well water, the climate in the Valley and cheaper rent gives them an advantage. The scorching heat of the summer pares production down to exclusively cherry tomatoes, but with another 30 acres prime for production, there’s ample room for growth.
Anna’s Organics was referred to Earl’s by Kitchen Table Advisors (KTA), a non-profit organization that supports the economic success of farmers, providing personalized business development, contacts in the industry, and more. Angie accompanied us on the tour, translating from Spanish, and showing us what KTA does in action. We walked the fields, which were laden with roots and their overgrown tops at this time of year.
Anna’s Organic’s Family, Angie Kitchen Table Advisors, Jonathan Earl’s Organic
Manuel assured us that he could essentially grow anything the climate would allow: Angie asked about the Spanish names of various vegetables, to which he would reply with an affirmative “claro que si.” Tell me what you want and I’ll sow the seeds. Manuel would periodically reach down for a sample – the daikon was fresh and spicy, the raw rutabagas (which none of us had tasted before) were surprisingly sweet, mild, and delicious.
Next up was a visit to Burkart Farms, an Earl’s Exclusive. Read all the details in our next blog.