Narci Organic Farms
A farmworker-turned-farm owner rejuvenates her soil with ZFP’s Restore grant.
A Different Kind of Farm and Flavor
Maria Reyes has come a long way, both in distance and in life experience. Born in Guerrero, Mexico, she came to California in 1989. After 26 years working as a strawberry picker, Maria enrolled in a course in organic farming designed to help farmworkers access affordable education, technical assistance, land, and equipment - the resources they need to become farmers themselves.
After completing the program, Maria was able to establish Narci Organic Farms, named in honor of her mother, Narcisa. Today, the farm grows more than 30 varieties of vegetables and berries. Maria’s two daughters, who both graduated from college with degrees in agricultural business, have since joined her in running the business.
Courtesy of Narci Organics Farms
Building a Future on the Land
Committed to improving the health of her farm’s soil, Maria began by applying compost to two acres and saw the difference it made in her crops. As much as she wanted to, she hadn’t been able to apply compost to the rest of her farm until she learned about Zero Foodprint’s Restore grant.
With funding from ZFP, Maria has been able to not only expand compost application, but also plant cover crops that can withstand the heat of July and August in San Benito County. These regenerative practices help keep the soil cool and moist, creating good conditions for the microorganisms that contribute to rich, healthy soil.
The Reyes family is continuing to invest in the health of their soil, while working toward a longer-term goal - purchasing the land their farm is on.
About Narci Organics Farm
“Narci Organic Farms is a family business run by Maria and her two daughters, Yesenia and Angelica. Offering fresh organic fruits and vegetables.”
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Zero Foodprint awards grants for projects that take carbon out of the atmosphere and put it back where it belongs: in the earth, creating healthy soil and better food. To do this, we focus on regenerative farming practices like composting, cover cropping, and managed grazing that can restore life to our soil while removing carbon from the atmosphere. Together, we have the power to grow more nutritious food, heal natural water cycles, and create habitat for biodiversity to thrive. Explore previously funded projects to see what this might look like on your farm.
For more information, read through other Restore Grant FAQs.oes here
Zero Foodprint (ZFP) is a nonprofit organization restoring the climate, one acre at a time. We believe that by regenerating soil, local food economies can play a critical role in reversing the global climate crisis. We work with food and beverage businesses, philanthropy, and government to bring the next dollar to implement the next regenerative practice on the next acre. This regenerative economy benefits every person who grows food, every person who sells food, and every person on this planet who eats food.
