This Earth Day, we celebrate small farms’ contributions to our environment and way of life. As the President of the US Lavender Growers Association, I know hundreds of farmers, all proud of our place in the patchwork of farms across the U.S. We are committed to environmental sustainability, preserving America’s farmland, and employing our neighbors along the way. You might say that every day is Earth Day for us.
As a new FarmHer, environmental sustainability was one of the first things I focused on. I learned to be water “wise” right away, to control both the amount of water we use and the quality of the runoff. Organic, regenerative farming practices help us do just that. Drip and ground-level irrigation preserve this precious resource, and no toxic weed killers enter our plants or our soil.
You may also remember my stories about becoming a steward of “barren” land. I worked very hard to remove long-dead trees, clear a huge mound of junk, and reclaim an ancient hedgerow for our pollinators. Those efforts helped to bring this beautiful little spot in the Capay Valley back to life. I take joy every day in being the one to do that.
And who helps me do all this but my neighbors? The talented Peggy Meyers who makes our sewn products; Jason Vanderpool is a wizard at equipment repair and "vegetation management" (mowing); Nina Andres, a Valley olive grower, joined us this year; each year we hire a local energetic team of teens, and even the local Post Office where we ship our products are all important to our business.
When Leland Stanford bought land in the Capay Valley in the 1880s, he sold parcels to farmers who agreed to use organic methods and support one another to maintain, harvest, and distribute their produce. Today - up and down the corridor of CA-16 - you can find organic lavender products, olive oil, the tastiest produce, fresh flowers, and even small working ranches with animals. Each one committed to the Earth and to all we share it with.
We invite you to come out to the Valley and experience it for yourself. We are open Friday through Sunday, 10 – 4. Stroll our fragrant fields, watch our little still Shirley in action, enjoy a picnic in the grove, and snap that perfect pic while you’re here.
