Keeping Them Down On The Farm

They grow them “BIG” in California! Here on the Central Coast they celebrate their diverse agriculture heritage. Lettuce is king in Salinas; artichokes in Castroville; strawberries in Watsonville; and garlic in Gilroy.

Down in the Valley, Carmel Valley that is, Earthbound Farm is queen of the organic harvest. Twenty-five years ago, Drew and Myra Goodman, two transplanted New Yorkers, started their business with only 2 ½ acres of heirloom raspberries and a small farm stand. Today, Earthbound is the largest grower of organic produce in the United States. You probably have seen their packaged baby salad greens at your local grocery store.

Season after season at Earthbound they serve up a bounty of organic produce and related activities for all. This includes “chef walks”, like a recent foray through the fields lead by an Indian curry chef from near-by Quail Lodge. Regular “bug walks” find children buzzing about, and releasing helpful ladybugs into the Farm’s environment.


At the entrance: A burro pulling a tractor, or is it vice-versa?

Fifties-era metal outdoor chair with a tufted cushion of assorted grasses.

You say tomato, I say tomatoe. Either way, it’s heirloom and it’s delicious!



All the usual suspects are in the herb garden. The line-up also includes some lesser known relatives: Hi Ho Silver Thyme, PA Dutch Tea Thyme, Spanish Tarragon, Red Rubin Basil, Kentucky Colonel Mint, and too many others to mention.

Snip your own! More folksy, than Madison Avenue, the signage is simple and colorful. It tempts the palate and the eye.

A blooming business in sunflowers and artichoke florets.

Savor the seasons and protect the earth’s bounty,
Marjorie