Leonardo's Produce Stand (supporting our new local farm stand)

Damin, the heart and soul of Leonardo's Produce

There is another great produce stand in our little valley and our family is hopeful they will be there for many years to come. Leonardo's Produce starting selling produce earlier in the summer and has been working hard to make a go out of farming and selling produce. It's been great to have to travel only a few miles down the road to get some very tasty and always fresh fruits and veggies from our local farm stands in our sweet little Alhambra Valley.

The Leonardo of Leonardo's Produce is actually the 9 year old son of  Damin, who is the heart and soul of this operation. Damin worked down the road, at the Alhambra Valley Farm, for many years before branching out on his own earlier this year. Damin, along with his wife Rosa, have set up a farm stand in the beautiful area just off Bear Creek Road. For now,  much of what he is selling is not farmed on the land but he has begun to grow some of his own crops with plans to expand. It is Damin's intention to grow his food without pesticides. And, Damin is one of those people whose upbeat mood, enthusiasm and motivation is encouraging. One of the reasons we became such big fans of the farm stand at the Alhambra Valley Farm was because of Damin. Over the years, our family has gotten to know him and we look forward to the summers and our visits to the farm stands. 

A few years back, we hosted some Chinese high school students who were visiting the USA for the first time. Animals and farms were something they had not seen before in their crowded urban homes. So early one morning, I took them down the road to see the emu and lama, olive trees and other crops. Damin was there that day and he was kind enough to let the students get up close and personal with the animals at the farm including a then 3 minute lamb. That Damin was willing to invite us to witness such a miracle made those young girls week. He has a warmth and openness about him and it is that openness and warmth, along with his hard work to bring good food to people, that I am hoping will keep people coming back to his stand.

With so much commercial farming nowadays, it is refreshing not only to know who is growing one's food but to know they are doing so in a way that is healthy for the planet and the humans who consume it. It is my hope that is Divine Order has plans for a long successful farming career for Damin, Rose and their son (who patiently stays with his family at the stand on weekends).