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Phil
& Katherine Foster
Phil
and Katherine Foster farm 240 acres of C.C.O.F. and I.F.O.A.M.
certified organic vegetables and melons on two ranches in San
Benito county, California. Their "Pinnacle" label is well known
as one of the highest quality organic labels.
Because of the coastal influence, the 40 acre ranch in San Juan
Bautista is ideal for growing lettuces, celery, strawberries,
carrots, beets, sweet corn, napa cabbage, bok choy, garlic, leeks,
and parsnips. The other 200 acres is in a valley east of the town
Hollister. The hot dry climate in the summer is perfect for growing
onions, tomatoes, peppers, hard squash, garlic, summer squash,
sweet corn and melons. The winter and spring near Hollister are
perfect for growing lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage,
and fennel.
In addition to growing vegetables,
Phil Foster devotes 4 acres to making compost for the farm's needs.
Compost with biological activity is manufactured using yard trimmings
from nearby cities, combined with just the right mix of ingredients.
Water and carbon dioxide levels are monitored daily, and the piles
are turned frequently.
Farming organically has been a way of
life for Phil Foster since 1989 when he began growing organically on
5 acres in Hollister. Phil started out working on his uncle's conventional
farm in high school. He attended University of California, Davis and
earned a degree in Agricultural Science and Management. He first worked
for a large conventional farm in the San Joaquin Valley where he gained
more hands-on experience. After nine years he decided to go out on his
own, and at this time a neighbor introduced him to organic farming.
Phil says that at the time organic was just getting started and he felt
the time was just right to switch.
Phil and Katherine believe that the essential components of organic farming are: building the soil with cover crops and compost, practicing environmentally sensitive pest control, using recyclable materials and less water, and seeking to improve farming methods through observation, talking with other farmers, soil and tissue testing, and keeping up with the latest research.
Phil Foster Ranches currently has 20 year round employees and 20 seasonal employees. Fieldworkers are paid at a rate 20% higher than the California minimum wage. In addition to wages, the workers receive, as a bonus, a portion of the profits calculated in December for the year. Workers are covered by a health care plan that provides quality health care for them and their in-state family members.
Last
year in May, I had the great pleasure of spending an afternoon with
Phil, touring both ranches. We rode around in his pick-up truck with
his two dogs- Shorty, who rides perched up on the seat behind Phil's
head, and Lucy, his two-color eyed Catahoula that rides inthe back.
Both dogs were strays that found Phil and Katherine and have become
trusted companions that roam the ranches with Phil during the day
and sleep at the foot of the bed at night.
Walking the fields with Phil was a memorable experience. The Santa Ana Ranch in Hollister is set in a beautiful valley. Phil walked me through the fields, pulling onions out of the ground, explaining the different varieties and growing practices. We walked through a cucumber patch and the bell pepper fields. He showed me the small grove of walnut trees that they have maintained since they bought the ranch. Phil loves to farm, he takes pride in what he does, and it shows in the quality of his produce.
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