Heirloom Organic Gardens

FARMLAND: 100 acres in the Hollister area including Brians Ranch, the second member of CCOF on the Central Coast; and 50 acres in Panoche Valley, about 100 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

PEOPLE: Grant Brians and 12 full-time workers

FARM HISTORY/PHILOSOPHY: A farmer since age 14, Grant has experience in both small-scale agriculture and corporate agribusiness. He started farming organically in 1975 and was a founding member of California Certified Organic Farmers on the Central Coast. Grant replaced Stuart Dickson, the founder of Heirloom Organic Gardens, in 2006. Heirloom Organics uses a combination of organic and Biodynamic practices to grow an assortment of vegetables and herbs. Grant is committed to flavor, freshness, organics, and genetic preservation. The farm primarily grows open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down through generations (known as heirlooms); Grant is constantly expanding his repertoire of such varieties.

SOIL: Compost, trace minerals, cover crops, manufactured organic fertilizers, and composted kelp.

WEED CONTROL: Hand and tractor cultivation; flaming to singe weed seedlings.

PEST MANAGEMENT: Habitat for beneficial insects, crop rotation, heirloom cultivars, climate awareness, soil cultivation, water management, organic additives, and "letting nature take its course."

WATER USE: Drip and overhead irrigation from well water.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION: CCOF since 1976