Alex Zadeh from AZ Ranch gave an inspiring presentation & slide show about his ventures from a hobby farm to a certified organic ranch.  The ranch is open from 10-4:00 every Saturday and is located at 2000 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills, It was established in 2000 but really began with his father in Iran. They sell produce at numerous farmers markets, bring their nutrient rich food to schools and also sell at Erewhon groceries.

The family has 38 acres in LA county, 5 in Somis and 2 in Ventura.  Next year they will acquire 42 more acres in Ventura County where they’ll continue to grow unusual fruits and vegetables.  Alex reported working with the best coworker and mentor, his father. They have one other full time employee. 

 They began in Agoura growing in nursery pots. They didn’t know what the word ‘organic’ meant as they had never used anything on their crops that they couldn’t pronounce.  They’d always been working with land as mindful stewards but are now certified organic producers.  Along the way they learned that ducks are not particular about what they eat, unlike chickens, and duck fertilizer is very nutrient rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and zinc so their first time raising animals was when they drove to Monterey and bought 400 ducks.They now grow 75% of their feed on the farm. 

What does he grow? This year he planted 10,000 tomatoes.  They also grow Egyptian walking onions, Oaxacan corn and other colorful varieties including blue, green and purple.  Tree spinach is a favorite with the leaves colored purple on one side and green on the other. They also grow flesh colored squash, arugula, many lettuces, Haas avocados, Kefir limes, red stalk celery, loquats, kale, chard, many herbs, sugar beets, microgreens, quince, pomegranates, blackberries, variegated lemons, plums, many varieties of figs including the large size kadota figs. They have 10 current varieties and are trialing 20 new ones. Along with white mulberries (which are excellent dried), they grow, strawberries, blackberries & boysenberries, passion fruit, pistachios, elephant garlic, lunch box peppers, pineapple guava, persimmons, purple broccoli, grapes, eggplant, five different varieties of watermelon (400 each variety) and mushrooms. 

The Organic Garden Club plans to visit the Nursery and Farm Store this summer.