"Two Small Farms" will be getting a longer piece, but I just wanted to post a little about them, and promise that I will upload more photos of my visits to each this week. Today I revisited High Ground Organics, which is situated on the hills next to Highway One in Watsonville. It is surrounded by pastures and the Harkin Slough, home to waterfowl and any number of other birds, as well as the wildlife teeming around. More on the farm, individually, later.
High Ground is partnered with Mariquita Farm in both the CSA to which they both contribute, as well as emotionally, familially, and ideologically. The story of Jeanne Byrne and Steve Pedersen (High Ground), and Andy Griffin and Julia Wiley (Mariquita), and their four children and history together and apart are a good tale. And I promise to tell it, but I can't tonight, as I had two little boys at the farm with me and it's been a long, good day.
The pictures are of High Ground (above, overlooking berries and the slough), and the view of the windmill at Mariquita Farm, which I visited on Saturday with Logan. Andy and Julia were hosting a baby goat petting day, and families came from all over the Bay area to see the 12 little kids.
These are two incredibly hard-working, committed families who've focused their collective energies into creating a balanced and abundant offering for their CSA subscribers. Mariquita, being inland, is able to grow the bulk of the hot-weather crops (tomatoes, peppers, etc.), while High Ground, perched on the breezy coastal hills, specializes in cool weather crops (baby greens, strawberries, and flowers were going when I visited today).
Stay tuned for more on Two Small Farms. Meanwhile, you can sign up for their newsletter, which is always entertaining. Besides satisfying your voyeurism on what CSA members are getting in their box this week, you'll find Andy's musings (he's a great writer: his bi-weekly works are filled with personal anecdotes, history, and humor), pieces by Julia and Jeanne, and recipes. You can also visit both sites, linked above, for photos of the families, and more on their history. I'll try not to be redundant in telling that.
Farms like this are why I do what I do. I am in awe of what they accomplish.
Take a look at Mariquita's restaurant list: A16, Chez Panisse, Delfina and a lot more.
© 2005 Tana Anderson Butler, all rights reserved, period.
I grew up in the Santa Clara Valley and remember the last of the great farms and orchards in that area. When I last visited Ojai, I thought that area was the quintessential, pure California that I recall with fondness from childhood. Just when I began to think that paradise had been all but paved over, your photos capture the glorious beauty of California small farms. I can almost smell the grass and blossoms. Long live small farms!
Posted by: Greg | 21 April 2005 at 07:49 AM