In Support of Local Farmers (Larry's Produce)

There's something about the earth and the natural world; about how soil and seed, water and sun, can produce the foods that give us life. Fruits and vegetables, like flowers and plants, are so diverse, so unique. Each one with it's own flavor that dances on the taste buds. Creation, in it's glory, has made our sustenance colorful, bright, large, small, sour, sweet, bitter, round, oblong, bumpy, smooth, prickly, fuzzy. So many skins do our foods grow in. And in our modern world, with our modern tools, man can produce fruits and vegetables in much larger amounts that our ancestors could ever imagine. Even with all the modern tools, the labor is still backbreaking and brutal. Which makes the reaping all the more appreciated. I know what it takes to grow the food that feeds the masses.I have seen the men and women hunched over in the sizzling sun, picking strawberries, carrots, avocado and the other crops we desire. The foods that we can easily acquire by taking a drive to our local supermarket without so much a thought to what it took for that pint of blueberries to make it to the Whole Foods shelf.
                      

I want my girls to grow up understanding, appreciating and respecting the earth and the food and water we use. The food and water that keeps us alive. It is in this vain, that I so strongly support the local farmers in our areas and/or the local markets that buy directly from those who toil the fields here in Northern California. But I want the girls to touch the earth with their own hands as well. That is why this year, our garden has meant so much to our family. They saw their father build our small garden from the raised bed, to getting the soil, planting the seeds and then patiently waiting for something to grow. Amara, at age 5, has been able to help her father and has taken pride in watering the plants. Both girls have been mesmerized by the carrots, peppers and strawberries that they have harvested. But I also want them to see the larger local farms so when they ask for blueberries or walnuts, they understand that they didn't just appear in the store.

                  

It was with this intention in mind, that this past Friday I kept Amara out of school so she, Havana and I could visit a farm up in the Suisun Valley. Being outside on a warm summer day seemed like a better classroom than being indoors, so off we went. Larry's Produce, just a twenty-five minute drive on I-80 East, sells fruits, vegetables and flowers that you can buy from inside the stand or you can pick some things for yourself (http://www.larrysproduce.com/index.html)  From what I learned, much of the produce is grown on his farm, where the stand is, or from farms within a few mile radius. Some of the produce is imported (I doubt bitter melon is grown in Solano County) but having lived overseas, I am always thrilled to see foods that are not typical in our American diet. And from what I saw while exploring the grounds, some of their produce must come from the Central Valley, which is close enough.


We are so privileged here in the Western United States to have some of the largest farms in the world. Commerically grown food is necessary to feed the millions who live in the concrete jungles. But the smaller, local farmers work just as hard and I think it's important to not only understand what it takes to grow food but to support our local farmers. They are our life line. Literally.  

At Larry's Produce, the amounts of produce they sold was astounding (see cherry mountains below) and the prices remarkable. I was a bit disappointed that it seemed like they did do much organic. But for those who do not have the economic advantage to buy organic, Larry's offers the opportunity to buy fresh produce very reasonably. We had made the effort to drive up there so I put my 'organic upitiness' on the back burner and let the girls pick what they wanted. And I did too. We spent $39 on four canvas bags of food that included several pounds of cherries, grapes, okra, nectarines, eggplant (2 for $1.00), figs, melon, Persian cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, a enormous watermelon, orange cauliflower, collard greens, local honey and Amara picked flowers. Monterrey Market can't even beat that!

                       


                                               

                        

                       
                       
                                     

                       

                                     
                                            
Walking out to the fields was perhaps the highlight of our trip. It was a bit too hot and far for the girls to walk to the furthest areas but within reasonable distance were flowers, rows of zinnias that were heavenly to just look at. While Havana had fun running up and down, Amara and I picked some to make two beautiful bouquets for our home. While we picked I talked a bit about farming and how what it entails. I didn't say too much. I think the girls seeing and experiencing was enough. They have had some experience cherry picking so they are slowly getting the lessons I want them to have. I am confident that as we continue to teach by example, my little ladies will grow up loving, respecting and honoring the earth and hopefully sharing this with those who are part of their lives as they grow.

                                    
                                       

Playing on an old-school, non-working tractor.

Amara listening to the melons to see which was ripe and juicy!
I guess she has seen me do this enough that she wanted to try it
out for herself!

                       
                    

Contemplating!

                      

The girls just had to watch that all their fruit was packed up!

Alhambra Valley Farm

This has been a long week, with Don gone to L.A. for work. The days start early (5 a.m. on workdays & 6 a.m. on home days). Fortunately, long before Don's unexpected trip, I had arranged a field trip with Amara's preschool, Little World Montessori, to our local farm just down the road. Our field trip meant a fun break in the middle of the week as it was something to look forward to and something to distract the girls from them missing their papa.

I have written about Alhambra Valley Farm in a previous blog post, describing how much our family loves visiting the domestic and more exotic animals that reside there.  We eagerly anticipate their summer farm stand where we can purchase their fruits and vegetables. Their olive oil, which they grow and press, has long been used in our kitchen. That we are fans our this little local farm is obvious. So it was especially exciting to take the little people from Amara's preschool to visit and get to see it up close and personal and where we got to learn about the farm's history and see some of the behind the scenes, daily workings of the farm.

Tom Powers bought the land about twelve years ago. He is growing vegetables including artichoke, tomatoes, swiss chard, peppers, olives, tomatoes and much more. He told us he recently got a sweet puppy, Diego, to help with the coyotes (we were sad to learn that two sheep were dinner to coyotes the night prior.)

Big Mama Lama (that really is her name!)

As a life long animal lover, I was pleased to learn that all of the animals on the farm were rescues. That Tom has taken them in is a reflection of his kindness. We got to meet Big Mama Lama and her two 'babies'; Baby Boy and Baby Girl, a bunch of sheep and a goat and of course, the emu. The children were giddy to see them so close! And a little frightened too!

Big Mama giving kisses to Tom. That's trust!

Daddy Lama and the One Lone Goat!

Some of the sheep.

Big Mama Lama was gracious enough to give me a smooch too!

                       

Tom telling us about the crops he is growing.

This is the farms water source.

Somehow shells ended up on the farm. Here is Amara with
her treasures.

Some of the Little World Montessori Crew.

Part of the olive oil pressing/holding process.

Swiss chard.

Peppers.

Any good farm has a healthy compost pile!

One of the many owl houses. They usually house here in winter
and help with the gopher problems.

Havana was over the moon to be on a field trip with
the bigger little people.

Young olive trees.

Feedig the emu corn.

The little ones all seemed to enjoy their visit to Alhambra Valley Farm. As a parent, I think it's crucial that our young ones know where food comes from. Some of the other parents also have gardens, as do we. But our own little garden can only produce a miniscual amount compared to this modest farm. Which is why I wanted my girls, and the children at her school, to get an understanding of where our food comes from and what growing food entails.  It is never too soon to teach our little ones this important life lesson.

But it was clear, that the animals were the highlight of this field trip. It was a little scary but exciting to get up close to the big lamas and emu. Some kids got close and some stayed behind! And for this big kid, I was overjoyed to get a kiss from a lama. That made my day, made my soul child smile and helped the week go alittle smoother. And the next time we pass by the farm, we will have a better appreciation and stronger connection with the animals and land. How wonderful!