People

Ignacio (Nacho) and Casamira Sanchez and their daughters (Christyna, Serena, and Savannah), along with 25 full-time, 16 part-time,­ and 8 seasonal employees.

Farmland

616 acres on 14 plots of land in Fresno and Tulare counties, about 200 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

Farm History

Nacho Sanchez graduated from Fresno State with a B.S. in agriculture. In 1989, he bought a 6-acre orchard with his wife, Casamira, which they farmed in their spare time. By 1993, Nacho had acquired over 150 acres and was farming full time. Nacho and Casamira feel good knowing that workers can pick fruit and customers can enjoy it without worrying about pesticide residues. Any fruit the Sanchezes don’t sell is incorporated back into their soil.

Certification

Quality Assurance International (QAI) since June 1999

Soil

Crop stubble is used to build the soil.

Water Use

Furrow and drip irrigation using well-water and irrigation-district water.

Weed Control

Hand hoeing with machete, machine discing, plowing, tilling, and mowing.

Pest Management

Release of beneficials (aphytis and snails) and creating a habitat for beneficials. Use of organic pesticides such as oils, sulfur, and copper for peach leaf curl. Selection of root stock that is resistant to phytophera.