A Pumpkin Patch and a Call to Action from the Last of the Dairy Farmers

We also take what comes out of the other end of the cow and mix that with ground up landscaping trimmings at our other sister business, San Pasqual Valley Soils. Here we co-compost the greens waste diverted from local landfills with the cow manure and create a variety of soil building products and moisture retention products for your yard.  Our OMRI certified “Valley’s Best Compost” is used by many local organic farmers. We even use some of it on our own alfalfa fields. Cows love fresh grass and alfalfa and we try to grow as much of it as we can. You might have seen some of our alfalfa fields as you drive to Ramona, Julian or the Safari Park. 

I started out in dairy farming at the age of four helping the calf raiser feed the calves. Now I work alongside my father assisting with everything related to caring for our herd of over 800 milk cows in the San Pasqual Valley. I assist the herdsman and my father in activities like veterinary health checks and pasture rotation management of the "dry cows". Dry cows are cows who are expected to calve in the next three months. Cows in the third trimester of their pregnancy are given a break from milking, so that the nutrients that they receive goes to the health and development of their calf and allows them a rest period.

I also assist with monthly genomic testing of calves. Who would have ever thought that individual hair follicles would be able to give us a prediction of how a calf would grow and develop and what her likely production and confirmation would be? I have even been able to help assist the vet with embryo transfers on some of my own cows. It’s made me very excited about science and what I hope to do in the future.

My brother, sister and I are also members of 4H, which has helped us learn more about farming as well as developing communication, business and leadership skills, and participating in community service. 4-H is a global network of youth organizations whose mission is "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development". The 4-H’s stand for heart, head, health, and hands which are utilized by 4-H’ers around the world to “Make the Best Better”. Through the 56 Ranchers 4-H Dairy Project, I was the California State Winner for my 4-H record book, an essential aspect of animal husbandry and business. I have held numerous board positions at the chapter level, as well as being a Junior and Teen Leader for a number of 4-H projects. This experience allowed me to develop, teach, and mentor other 4-H members.

I have really enjoyed allowing other 4-H members to work with some of my animals as they might not otherwise have had that opportunity. 4-H has given me the opportunity to explore so many areas of animal science, working with cows, goats, horses, rabbits, and chickens to name a few, practicing public speaking, learning about rockets, archery, cooking, home arts, as well as numerous other activities.  Most communities within San Diego offer 4-H programs if you are interested in joining. In addition to 4-H I have participated in various Holstein Association speech and knowledge competitions, where I have been fortunate enough to compete and win on a national level. 

While my own exposure to Agriculture has been securely rooted in my experiences at my family’s dairy and in 4-H, most San Diego residents have very little knowledge or connection with production agriculture. I want to change that.

One way that I am trying to help educate the public about agriculture, is by inviting them out to our farm where families can appreciate one of the last hidden gems, the San Pasqual Agricuture Preserve. Earlier this year, we decided to get involved with a different aspect of farming by growing a pumpkin crop. Mom thought it was a great idea. Dad is still wondering what we got ourselves into.

We pulled our "Tom Sawyer idea" together by getting some of our 4-H friends to help us plant over 1500 pumpkin plants between the hours of 8pm and 5am during the first week of July. We were showing animals during the day at the San Diego County Fairy, and we were planting pumpkins under the moonlight during the night. We now have twelve different varieties of pumpkins and some sunflowers ready to market.