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Down on the Farm
 
by Wendee Crofoot

Last summer on June 25th, members of the board and staff of CGF enjoyed a day-long tour of three family-run farms and farm businesses in Morgan Hill.

The day started at The Grass Farm with a welcome by Jenny Derry and Nicole De La Rosa of the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau. The Grass Farm has been the place to purchase sod locally since 1969. William Y. Gil presented an overview of the farm’s business and the issues involved in farming as a leaseholder on an annual lease rather than as a landowner.

The tour next traveled to Andy’s Orchard, owned and operated by Andy Mariani. There we picked peaches directly from the tree, sampled twelve different types of cherries, and stocked up on unique fruit offerings from the store. The cherry-tasting events at Andy’s Orchard will typically draw many visitors back to his farm, and it was a pleasure to be welcomed by the owner himself. Andy Mariani continues to farm his small lot while being surrounded on all sides by new housing developments.

Eating fresh peaches at Andy’s Orchard are, clockwise from left, Nicole De La Rosa, Brian Grayson, Mary Davey, Brian Schmidt and Andy Mariana

The farm tour proceeded to George Chiala Farms, where they grow many different vegetables and process vegetables grown on their farms from Santa Clara to Mexico in a local factory. This was a unique opportunity for a private tour where we could see (and smell!) what industrial level processing of hot peppers and garlic is like. Hair nets and long pants were mandatory! We met three generations of the Chiala family and many of their employees. The day ended at Gugliemo’s winery with a picnic lunch and wine tasting for all.

All of the farmers we visited expressed a strong desire to continue the tradition of farming in the Valley of Heart’s Delight, while also being concerned about farming’s future.

CGF actively seeks ways to support and collaborate with Peninsula farmers in preserving our common agricultural heritage. The Farm Tour was both a wonderful and educational event in itself and a preview of the even more ambitious tour planned for the early summer of 2008. We hope to welcome the entire CGF family to that event — look for news on our website and in coming issues of Green Footnotes.

Published Fall 2007 in Green Footnotes.

Page last updated December 17, 2007.