The annual Open Farm Tour unfolded over the weekend in Santa Cruz County where 13 organic farms welcomed the public to showcase their growing operations, methods and products.
“Last year was just freaky, weather-wise, with all the rain and cold,” said Jean Thomas at Thomas Farm in Corralitos. “Our fruit trees, like plums and peaches, hardly produced a thing; you just can’t predict what Mother Nature has in store. That means you have to adapt and make changes. We decided not to grow so many crops this year. So now I’m hoping to start a tea garden with herbs and roses, among other things. Three years ago some of our trees were just loaded. Now — take this orange tree — it died back and it’s nothing but dry twigs.”
Jean and her husband, Jerry, have been farming five acres on Pleasant Valley Road since 1971. During the tour, Thomas said she also sells homemade wreaths, her own framed paintings, jams, jellies, marmalades, chutney, herbs and other goods.
Thirteen organic farms took part in the event that ran Saturday and Sunday: Prevedelli Farm, DeerBrook Farms, Blossoms Biodynamic Farm, Esperanza Community Farms, Live Earth Farm, Mariquita Farm, Whiskey Hill Farm, Thomas Farm, Sea to Sky Farm, Beeline Blooms, Pajaro Pastures Ranch and Dos Aguilas olive grove.
