Show 145, November 7, 2015: David Barnes, Co-Founder, Crows Pass Farm, Temecula Continues…

David Barnes of Crows Pass Farms in the AM830 StudioCrows Pass Farm is owned and operated by David and Tina Barnes. It’s located in the heart of Southern California’s Wine Country in Temecula, CA. Named for the crows that pass over each autumn evening as they travel between vineyards to roost, the farm began in 1991 with a fistful of strawberry plants, a few carrots, peas and a dependable truck.

They learned the ropes participating in Southland farmer’s markets where they came to specialize in chef-direct relationships.

Crows Pass Farm produces year round crops with seasonal specialties on their 40-acres. Highly seasonal items prized during their short season are strawberries, asparagus and mulberries. They have been growing organically since the beginning, with flavor as their top priority.

The drought has had a major negative impact on their operation. Labor is also hard to come by. Of their 40 acres they are only farming on about 10 acres at present.

The temperate climate of Southern California affords Crows Pass the opportunity to produce crops year-round and the Temecula Valley is fortunate to benefit from its proximity to both the desert and the ocean which create long, sunny days with cooling ocean breezes.

They are able to utilize this ideal climate in accordance with each season’s distinctive opportunities. Neighboring horse ranches deliver The Farm’s building block of compost they carefully develop to create a living soil to nourish the plants and combat pests.

Farmer David is now also working with Mountain Meadow Mushrooms in Escondido, an organic mushroom farm.