Van Dyke Ranch
Van Dyke Ranch offers certifi ed organic
fruits and vegetables in season, including
apricots and cherries (fresh and dried),
nectarines, peaches, pears, persimmons
and plums. Five generations of Van
Dykes have made their livelihood in
farming. In 1975, brothers Peter, Kurt
and Eric Van Dyke took the reins from
their grandfather, and began a transition
from conventional to organic farming
practices. Beginning in the 1990s, Peter
led improvements to the farm’s washing,
cooling, and packaging systems. The
farm sells to wholesalers, and direct to
consumers through its website. Open
May 20 th – August 20 th .
Battaglia Ranch Tree Farm
For 40 years, Battaglia Ranch has provided
South County with lush, fragrant trees
for the winter holidays. Customers can
bring the family to the ranch to choose
and cut the perfect tree from a selection of
Monterey Pine, Leyland Cypress, Blue Ice,
Carolina Sapphire, and Monterey Cypress
trees. Those who like fi r trees can choose
from pre-cut Noble, Douglas, Nordmann,
Grand or Fraser varieties delivered from
the Battaglia’s farm in Oregon. Trees can
be fl ocked for those who like the snow-
covered look. Fresh cut evergreen wreaths
are also available to decorate the front
door or fi replace mantle in style.
Around Christmas time, Santa is
known to stop by the Battaglia’s gift shop
to pose with families for holiday photos.
Visitors can board the Enchanted Train
Ride to glide through the tree farm. The
more adventuresome can tour the ranch
on one of Santa’s reindeers or hop in his
sleigh instead. Battaglia staff help tree
shoppers select, cut, wrap and mount
their favorite tree on the car roof, ready
to take home.
Santa Clara County
Farm Bureau
The Farm Bureau is a non-profi t, non-
governmental voluntary membership
corporation with 300 agricultural and
1300 associate members. Its focus
is primarily on education, member
development and public policy related to
64
farming. Its Ag Water Quality Program,
which helps farmers and ranchers protect
the environment and water quality, recently
earned the Governor’s Environmental
Leadership Award. Along with education
and training the program includes
professional assistance in writing the new
Farm Water Quality Plans required by the
Regional Water Quality Control Board.
More than 150 farmers have participated
in the program and written Farm Plans
covering more than 33,000 acres in the
Santa Clara Valley.
The Farm Bureau collaborates with
other organizations each year to provide
college scholarships to local high school
seniors who plan to pursue ag-related
degrees, maintain good academic
standing, and demonstrate leadership skills
and community involvement. September
marks the Farm Bureau’s annual Farm
to Table Dinner, which typically features
a reception followed by a wine-paired
dinner, live music and dancing, and a
silent and live auction fundraiser.
The Bureau makes available a Country
Crossroads Map pinpointing farms in
Santa Clara County that sell directly to the
public. Check the Bureau’s website
for details.
Community
Farm Outlets
Gilroy Demonstration
Garden & Farmstand
7360 Eigleberry Street
gilroydemonstrationgarden.org
Volunteer Workdays:
Mondays and Fridays 3-6 pm,
Saturdays 8:30 am – 12 pm
Farmstand:
Saturdays 9 am – 12 pm
Potluck:
2nd Saturday Monthly
12:30 pm – 2 pm
According to Manager Kit Grizzle, the
mission of the Gilroy Demonstration
Garden is to promote organic gardening
for the benefi t of the community through
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
JULY / AUGUST 2016
sustainable gardening practices and
education programs. Kit’s been guiding
efforts at the garden for six years and loves
the work. She said that it’s the ongoing
fi nancial and volunteer support from the
community that allows the garden to fl our-
ish. Gardening experience is not required.
Volunteer work, which includes cultivating,
planting and weeding, is guided.
Morgan Hill
Community Garden
Butterfi eld Boulevard between
E. Main and Diana Avenues
mhcommunitygarden.org/
The Morgan Hill Community Garden is
a 501c3 non-profi t organization listed
on the CA Registry of Historic Trusts.
It provides gardening education to the
community gardeners and South County
residents through informal garden
exchanges, fi eld trips and free classes.
Gardeners sign up for their own
individual garden plots, which can be up
to a maximum of 300 square feet for an
annual fee of 50 cents per square foot.
They are required to maintain their plots
throughout the year and to follow organic
gardening practices. Currently there is a
waiting list.
Morgan Hill Certified
Farmer’s Market
Year Round
Caltrain Station
3rd & Depot Streets
Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm
cafarmersmkts.com
Every Saturday of the year, farmers and
other vendors from South County and
beyond offer a bounty of delicious and
nutritious foods. Shoppers can choose
fresh-picked fruit, organic vegetables,
poultry, eggs, milk, local honey, orchids
and fresh-cut fl owers, heirloom tomato
plants, baked goods, lavender sachets
and oils, hand-crafted art and accessories,
and more. Vendors are always happy to
talk about their planting, growing and
harvesting practices, and many offer organ-
ically-grown items. On market day, there’s
a designated kid’s craft area with projects
to engage kids while their parents shop.
gmhtoday.com