On top of the earth are newly grown, regionally appropriate, drought-tolerant plants that attract pollinators with their flowers — 126 species, to be exact, verified by an ongoing study by Dr. Gordon Frankie.
Tom’s nephew, Weiler, puts this in context as we tour the farm, pointing to the thriving hedgerows that provide an airy windbreak for all the orchards and habitat for birds. “These windrows are so important for commercial operations such as this. We’ve had very intense wind events in the past and they will continue. The eucalyptus, casuarinas, and the cork oaks help protect [the crops] and us from the elements,” he says. On top of the earth are newly grown, regionally appropriate, drought-tolerant plants that attract pollinators with their flowers — 126 species, to be exact, verified by an ongoing study into pollinator diversity led by Frankie. And in the dirt at the rancho is a stumpery, one of the more novel features on the land and a Victorian concept that mimics the natural order of decay of wood and branches, adding fungal support to the soil to help plants absorb micronutrients. These mycelia can stretch over long distances, creating a diverse and vibrant microscopic fungal community. Learning how this all works together shows that the team at Rancho Santa Clara del Norte is getting it right. Next steps include cultivating cover crops throughout the property supported with a generous grant from Elevated Foods. While the ranch has utilized cover crops in the past, the renewed effort is more comprehensive. First, new cover crops will utilize a more complex mixture of plant material capable of fixing both nitrogen and carbon into the soil. Second, cover crops will remain on the soil through every season instead of being disked into the soil, which means their living roots will sustain critically important soil microorganisms year-round, enabling them to support crops naturally and help reduce chemical and other conventional inputs.
As a leader, Tom embodies hope for the future while tapping into generational wisdom and a treasured past. Addressing the crowd at the soil workshop, he asserted the idea of “just do something,” with snark inherited from his mother. “She’d say, ‘Don’t be afraid! If you make a mistake, rip it out.’” She nurtured many of the gardens near the farmhouse at the top of the drive, a testament to the family’s spirit and the rewards that come from risk and experimentation. This attitude demonstrates how regenerative practices can rejuvenate the land, bring profits, and infuse creativity and integrity into a farm like Rancho Santa Clara del Norte that serves as an example to others.
Clockwise from top: Lupe has worked at the rancho for five generations of owners. Inside the Catholic chapel. A small garden shed featuring original terra cotta tiles from the main adobe house. Foreman Arturo Romo in his workshop. The cactus garden started by James with a small collection of plants he gave his wife. Weiler takes a closer look at his prized Japanese yuzu lemons, an umami variety he started using while working as a line cook.
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ISSUE 01
A SENTIMENTAL BOUNTY
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