One of our most amazing farmers is undoubtedly Frank Martinon of MG Farms in San Luis Obispo. Frank has been with SLO Veg since 2011 growing naturally organic Roma and round tomatoes, kale, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, chard, brussels sprouts and more. We are so grateful to partner with Frank to bring fresh, local and delicious fruits and vegetables direct to you!
Frank’s first exposure to working the land lasted a few years until he decided he wanted to learn some other trades. He began working as a bike mechanic and then later as a cook. Plants and working outside were still at the top of Frank’s priority lists so he decided it was time to get back into the business. Seven months later he pulled the trigger and got back into farming full-time. It’s very different owning your own farming agricultural business compared to working for someone else. You must know the right fertilizers, water schedules, bug control, seasonal cycles for rotating crops, how to deal with heat, rain, and frost. Once Frank had it dialed in, he was ready for business. This wasn’t easy though as running a farm is a round-the-clock job. Anytime you are growing something it takes attention, food, water, and care; you can’t say, “I’ll get to it tomorrow” as oftentimes “tomorrow” proves too late.
In the beginning, Frank’s wife, Alma, was hesitant to get involved on the farm as she had her own work to attend to. She saw how hard Frank was working day after day and decided to help 3-4 times a week. Their son Danny dedicates 4 hours a day to working the farm in addition to his studies in Kinesiology. Michelle, their daughter, also assists with transplanting duties part-time. Frank is immensely inspired by his entire family working together on the farm, motivating him to constantly learn and make improvements to the process.
Frank maintains a goal to upgrade to 20 acres within the year, eventually expanding to 100 acres within seven years. At Martinon Farms, it is of utmost importance to get freshly harvested produce to distribution sites (including SLO Veg) within 24 hours. In doing so, you can absolutely taste the beautiful flavor once Frank’s produce makes it to your plate. Frank’s ultimate mission is to feed our community with only the highest quality, fresh, and local veggies possible! Here at SLO Veg, we couldn’t agree more!!
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