Sign Up For OPN Connect
In 2012, Javier Zamora graduated from ALBA, a 100-acre training facility that teaches hard-working, low-income farm workers and aspiring farmers seeking a better life through growing organic fresh produce and began farming 6 acres of row crops. Today, the charismatic grower farms 75 acres producing 25 different crops and employing 20 full time and 30 seasonal workers.
Javier Zamora, JSM Organics
OPN recently joined California Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s agriculture staffer, Riya Mehta, and CCOF to visit Zamora’s operation to get a firsthand look at his organic production.
Zamora takes great pride in his organic strawberry production. He selects varieties like Mara Dubois that has quite a following with retailers because of their taste profile. One of his challenges was the lack of organic strawberry starts that were available commercially, with most organic growers having to purchase starts from conventional nurseries.
To that end, Zamora has been actively involved in the Organic Strawberry Fields Forever project, he was all in. Javier told OPN that, “I heard about this project with Lisa Bunin, and I wanted to be part of it.”
Lisa Bunin, director, Organic Advocacy
Bunin, director at Organic Advocacy, who helped spearhead the project said “Javier planted conventional and organic starts side by side and the results were comparable in yield, the size of the plant and with no wilt. It’s our intention to kick start the industry into using organic starts, as Javier has done.”
“Some farmers are reluctant to make the change because conventional starts are working well, “Bunin said. “This is why the field trials are so important. Data taken from local farms helps farmers feel confident about making the switch. Organic starts are already commercially available so certifiers like CCOF will be requiring organic strawberry growers to plant them this fall.”
When not busy farming and mentoring aspiring organic growers, he actively serves the local community, working to foster greater opportunities and understanding of organic agriculture.
Pam Krone, agricultural water quality coordinator, CMSF
Walking through Zamora’s lower fields, OPN met Pam Krone, agricultural water quality coordinator for the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF). One of CMSF’s goals is to support the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary by preventing agricultural pollutants from entering the Sanctuary and to also look for positive ways’ agriculture can influence marine ecosystems.
The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation received a grant through CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program to run a demonstration project to implement farming practices that sequester carbon dioxide into the soil, which in turn increases soil organic matter and improves soil health.
Zamora contacted Krone when he heard about the project. “By having this demonstration project, Javier can show other farmers how organic practices such as cover crops and compost can impact their farming operations, improve and benefit the soil, and increase yields. Building healthier soil with more carbon content helps the marine sanctuary by removing carbon dioxide from the air,” Krone said.
Planting a hedgerow under NRCS Conservation Project
Another project Zamora has fully embraced is Hedgerows Unlimited. The brainchild of Sam Earnshaw, Hedgerows Unlimited locates, designs and installs conservation plantings including hedgerows, windbreaks, field borders, riparian plantings and grassed waterway for farmers.
Earnshaw said Zamora has played a pivotal role in utilizing Hedgerows Unlimited services. “Javier applied to NRCS for a conservation project and we’re installing three hedgerows along the edge of his fields. They will provide habitat for beneficial pollinators, insects birds and wildlife, Earnshaw said., “By planting native shrubs and flowers Javier will satisfy his desire to increase biodiversity. He always thinks in the bigger picture and is committed to incorporating nature and biological processes into his system of growing crops.”
Sam Earnshaw, founder, Hedgerows Unlimited
Zamora also serves on the ALBA board, Eco-Farm Board, CCOF Central Coast Chapter, Pajaro Valley Water Agency and on the USDA Small Farmer and Rancher Advisory Committee.
“Javier really is a stakeholder and a good citizen who does everything he can to work harmoniously with the environment and the community. He is a pioneer willing to test new ideas and to share his knowledge with the agricultural community,” Krone said. Some farmers I approached for the project didn’t want the liability of having visitors on their land, a requirement for the demonstration aspects of the grant. Javier’s a natural leader and loves sharing with local growers.”
