October 4, 2019 – Every once in a while, you’ve got to get out from behind the computer and stick your feet in the dirt to remember why you do what you do and how that beautiful organic salad got on your plate. The team at OFRF had a chance to visit Lakeside Organic Gardens in Watsonville this week and talk with owner Dick Peixoto and his team.
Even working in the organic sector, it is still awe inspiring to see the hard work and dedication that it takes to be a successful organic farmer. It was a treat to see so many different types of crops growing in the rich soil and to learn about Lakeside’s process. They are true stewards of the land, building up the soil year after year through cover cropping and other organic management practices such as planting flowers to attract beneficials.
Born and raised in Watsonville, Dick Peixoto has been farming since high school. Today, Lakeside is the largest family-owned and operated solely organic vegetable grower/shipper in the USA. Some of the employees have been working there for decades. Dick says, “We farm the soil and the soil grows the crop.”
Watch the video to learn more.
Thanks for the fun and informative tour and the healthy organic vegetables we get to eat!
Tractor on the farm at Lakeside
Celery harvest at Lakeside Organic Gardens
L-R: Brise Tencer, Executive Director, OFRF; Lola Dannehl-Schickman, Development & Partnerships Manager, OFRF; Dick Peixoto, Owner, Lakeside Organic Gardens; Haley Baron, Education & Research Program Associate, OFRF; Marliese McWherter, Creative Marketing Manager, Lakeside; Juan Gonzalez, Operations Manager, Lakeside; Vicki Lowell, Communications Manager, OFRF; Lauren Snyder, Education & Research Program Manager, OFRF