The Hain Ranch was founded four generations ago in Tres Pinos.  The Hain family first got the land in San Benito County in the early 1900’s and has been farming there continuously since then so Paul grew up farming and decided that he really wanted to continue.  Paul holds a degree in Pomology, which is the study of Fruits and Nuts.  After he got his degree, he came back to the family farm and has been here ever since. 

Currently Paul and his wife, Leti, run the family business.  They have 50 acres of which about 40 are planted in organic walnuts and home to their free-range chickens.  They also are strong believers in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) so they market their chickens, walnuts and tomatoes directly to CSA members and through local farmers markets. 

Paul and Leti decided to go organic in 1993.  Paul says that they were lucky to get in when they did because state law was changing and the walnuts were certified organic in one year instead of three.  Most of the walnuts are sold wholesale to a local processor who distributes thought out the US and the world.

Organic walnuts with cover crops in place

Paul first heard about the Water Quality classes through his local Farm Bureau office.  He took one of the first short courses that were offered.  He also attended the rangeland short course when that was offered.  Leti has helped put on the short coursed through her local work for the local RCD.  Paul is also involved with many local non-profits, including the San Benito Agricultural Land Trust and the Vision San Benito, as well as being the current President of the San Benito Farm Bureau.

Since Paul has taken over the ranch he has planted cover crops to provide winter ground cover, organic matter, and nutrients for the walnuts.  This also benefits the free-range chickens that the Hains raise. The chickens are seasonally raised in bottomless mobile pens that are moved daily. The chickens also fertilize the walnuts, provide some pest control, help manage the orchard floor, and provide another layer of income from their acreage.  The ranch is sprinkler irrigated and used no chemical fertilizer since they are organic.  The Hains also implemented a restoration project that protects their riparian area with large woody debris and vegetated buffer area that protect both the creek from sediment and the orchard from the creek.

Portable chicken house and sheep keep the cover crop mowed

Says Paul. “the short courses have given us new insights into management practices that provide significant water quality benefits.”