White Crane Springs Ranch

PRODUCTS: Herbs, flowers, greens, and other lovely things

FARMLAND: 82 acres of forest, about 5 of which has been terraced and is farmed, in Healdsburg, about 75 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

PEOPLE: Joseph Minocchi and his wife, Kyung, along with 3 seasonal employees

FARM HISTORY/PHILOSOPHY: Joseph bought his land in 1979, and in the 1980s, having had a long interest in horticulture, began supplying flowers and flowering branches to florists. He began selling at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in the early 1990s, and was encouraged by a chef friend to start growing edibles. The farm’s wild and herbal salad mix has gained a considerable following, and the farm now produces other herbs and greens as well.

SOIL: Joseph maintains and improves the fertility of his soils by mulching extensively and applying lots of the rich compost the farm produces.

PEST MANAGEMENT: To manage pests, Joseph maintains habitat for beneficial insects, rotates crops, and weeds by hand.

WATER USE: All plants are watered with untreated, pure spring water.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION: None