Farms shape Ventura County through community and nutrition
As an epicenter of farms, Ventura County fosters a large portion of fresh produce across Southern California. Local farms provide the opportunity to know where one’s food is sourced, how it is benefiting the community and give learning opportunities for all ages to develop a green thumb.
Shawn Greenbaum, director of plant and soil fertility at Apricot Lane Farms, located in Moorpark, spends his days overseeing Apricot Lane’s vegetable gardens, orchards, fertility center and habitat restoration. “The best thing about working on the farm is that I get to be outside every day and work with not only great people but all the creatures that are on the farm,” Greenbaum said.
Apricot Lane Farms grew in popularity after the release of the documentary “The Biggest Little Farm,” which was released shortly after the farm’s establishment. Now, Apricot Lane not only serves as farmland but is also home to The Biggest Little School, Apricot Lane’s farm school.
The farm school gives children in grades first through sixth opportunities to learn about the complex process of running a successful farm. Through this, they work to connect people to nature while exposing them to the availability of fresh food, reinforcing the meaning of sustainable living. “It’s a healthier option for you and your family, as well as the environment,” Greenbaum said.
Tiffany Cook, educational farm tour supervisor at Underwood Family Farms, located in Moorpark, uses her passion to contribute to the community. “Especially with us here in Ventura County, [farms] contribute a lot, we’re pretty spoiled here in Ventura County to have the city life but also have the opportunity to come and be able to experience where your food is grown, where it comes from, what it looks like when its growing, to be able to actually get out there and pick it, and maybe enjoy some vegetables or fruits you’ve never had before,” Cook said.
Fresh farm foods are found in many places, one of the most locally available being the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Markets. Megan Grant, a market worker for AZ-Ranch, located in Agoura, spends her Thursdays selling fresh vegetables in the Oaks Mall Parking Lot and interacting with local community members and fellow farmers. “When you’re buying from a local farm at the farmers’ market, it’s a great sense of community. You come out and you see friends and you meet new people,” Grant said. Farms not only support communities through fresh produce, they create connections, building partnerships in the simplest ways.
While it may seem old fashioned to some, buying from and supporting farms is an easy ways to get fresh, healthy food while supporting local businesses. “If you want to be a contributing member of society, there’s no better way than to be first hand working with food that sustains life,” Greenbaum said.
