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| Phil Foster got his first experience in farming when he was young, working for his cousin during the summers. He liked it so much that he decided that he wanted to pursue farming as his career. He went to the University of California and got his degree in Agriculture Science and Management. After college, he spent seven years working for a large farm in Bakersfield before moving to San Benito County. | |
 Winter cover crops in the fields |
Phil started farming in 1988 and purchased land in San Benito in 1994 and he and his wife now run the business, which is growing and selling the organic crops grown on 250 acres, all in San Benito County. Most of the crops are row crops. The Fosters grow an average of 40 different varieties of vegetables as well as raising a variety of fruit trees ranging from apples to cherries. Their farms were not always organic. When Phil first started, he was farming on a very small scale as a one-man operation. Later, as he started to learn about organic farming, he decided to switch over. |
| In addition to their farming operation, the Fosters also have a very small area for shipping and packing their produce. Most of their produce goes to the local market, Whole Foods, and local farmers markets. Phil first heard about the Water Quality Short Course from the local water district. This was early in the process, before there was any regulation about continuing education. Phil thought it would be a good idea to take the course, get involved and meet other local farmers – and he was happy with what he learned. Later, Phil took the class a second time and he says that he learned more from that class too. |
 Buffer areas near roads |
 Cover crops in the orchards |
 Grassed buffer between the property and the road |
 Grassed roadways |
Phil has had many of the water quality practices in place for a long time but he is continually trying to improve them and make sure they work. They have made sure all the roads that they do not use heavily in the winter are also vegetated and all exit area are grassed as well. The Fosters have planted cover crops between all the fruit trees and furrows and all of the slopes on all of the properties that the Fosters own or manage have grasses/ vegetation on them. In addition, they have planted hedgerows along all boundaries of the property to encourage beneficial insects and also act as a wind break and animal corridor. |
| Phil protects the seasonal stream that runs along the property and the riparian area of natural vegetation, making sure that it is healthy year round. Grassing the road that borders the river as an additional buffer in case any water runs off. Finally, Phil pays special attention to watering. They use mini-sprinklers and drip to ensure that they are only putting water within the root zones. They also check the CIMIS Station for useful information about the weather so they know when to water and when there is no need for it. |
 Native plants in hedgerows that will attract beneficial insects |
| The Fosters typify the role of farmers as stewards of the land. As they have implemented best management practices, they strive to protect all of the land, adding habitat for wildlife and protecting water quality as well as growing quality crops. They are excellent examples of what can be accomplished with the desire to do so! | |
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