Far West Fungi

FARMLAND: 60,000 square feet of warehouses located in Moss Landing, approximately 80 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

PEOPLE: John and Toby Garrone along with 21 full-time and 2 part-time employees.

FARM HISTORY/PHILOSOPHY: John's involvement with mushrooms began in 1977 while working for the City of San Francisco on the Police Officers' Association Gym in Hunter's Point shipyard. There he met a man who grew mushrooms, with whom he eventually became partners in a business called Miracle Mushrooms. In 1987, John and Toby partnered with Jim Hammond, who started Hazel Dell Mushrooms in his garage in 1980. By 1990, consumer demand for exotic mushrooms necessitated a move out of the garage, and the business relocated into a decommissioned White Button cultivation facility in Watsonville. That facility is now home to Far West Fungi. Moss Landing's coastal fog creates a perfect growing climate for mushrooms -- temperatures are low and air moist throughout most of the year.

SOIL: Mushrooms are grown on bran and red oak sawdust (from a local wood fibers company).

PEST MANAGEMENT: Mouse traps and sterilization are used.

WATER USE: A local well provides all water.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION: California Certified Organic Farmers since 1995