farm_locations

THE FARM	FARM	NETWORKS	UNION	U-PICKS	CONTACT
THE FARM	HOME	FARM STAND	PEOPLE	MARKETS	GALLERY

	inspiration
	history
	strawberries
	other produce
	finance
	five locations
	farming practices

We are privileged to lease some of the most beautiful farmland in California. We take very seriously our responsibility for improving the land we farm. and for being good neighbors to the people, plants, and wildlife of the Coast. We farm in five different locations, each with a unique soil type and microclimate.

Swanton Ranch: The Swanton Ranch is the location for our U-pick strawberries opening in May 2005. The property borders Highway One, and is the site of our Farm Stand and kitchen, various barns, a large shop, an office, and buildings housing about twenty employees. This ranch has a number of interesting features, including a sand dune populated with un-disturbed native species, and a reservoir that is home to migratory birds, newts, and numerous other creatures. We lease only 40 acres of this large ranch, because it has very little water available.
Coastways Ranch: This beautiful, historic ranch is located along Highway One, just across from Año Nuevo State Park, home of the Elephant Seals. Coastways is the site of our U-Pick olallieberries, and kiwis. We have been farming it organically since we leased it in December, 2003; it will be Certified Organic in 2007. Coastways Ranch is owned by the Hudson family. We are fortunate to have two members of the family, Tim Hudson and Martin Bradley, working with us as part of the Swanton Berry Farm family.
Wilder Ranch: This ranch is located within Wilder Ranch State Park. We have farmed here for ten years, and are growing our second rotation of strawberries, which amazingly, have grown better than the first round. We have plenty of (expensive) city water, and have drawn most of our production from these fields in recent years. It has been a pleasure to work with the Park Service over the years to integrate farming with the public’s enjoyment of this important resource.
Davenport Field: The Davenport field and Swanton Ranch will soon be owned by the Farm Bureau's non-profit 'Agri- Culture'. Our neighbors in Davenport were very pleased when we leased the land and ended the previous farmer’s practice of spraying toxic chemicals nearby. We plant only a small portion of the land annually (two of twelve acres) because the water is high in dissolved salts that would accumulate and harm the soil if we planted and irrigated the whole field every year.
Laguna Ranch: This ranch is owned by David and Stephanie Mills, who have graciously donated all the rent proceeds to the UCSC Farm and Garden. It has spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and produces great strawberries. We happily share the view with several families of bobcats, who fan out across the field to help with gopher patrol.