Tomatero Podcast with Adriana Silva
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Finally! Our first published (but not recorded) podcast of 2012. Appropriately, our first podcast of the year is with Tomatero Farm. Next month (April 17th to be exact), they’ll be selling produce in front of Nopa. The podcast was with co-owner Adriana Silva. Despite the changing faces of farmers, when you close your eyes, Adriana still wouldn’t be the face most of us would conjure. It a nice face. It is the face of a young woman who looks happy. And youthful, but not young.
This map isn't that exciting, but it shows the distance between San Francisco and Watsonville, about 90 miles south
We were eager to talk to Adriana about Tomatero’s upcoming “CSA” box. Except, as we discuss, it’s not actually a CSA box. This came up at work; it was surprising that a significant number among us were unfamiliar with the concept of Community Supported Agriculture. Hopefully we can help answer questions. CSA’s, which became popular in the early 2000’s are an agreement between a farm and consumer. But in CSA’s the customer is also kind of like an investor. Instead of paying on a per/pound basis, you are instead investing in the farm itself. The money from your subscription goes toward the cost of the harvest and if it’s a really good one, you score more produce. If not, then…not. You’re back to shopping (hopefully) at Farmer’s Markets.
But what Tomatero is doing is bringing you the produce from their farm in a box. They’re calling this Harvest to Home, which sounds nice and explains the idea. There will be a pick up point outside of Nopa on Tuesdays, 3-7, beginning April 17th.
The introduction of this program got us curious about their farm. What had they seen in recent years that inspired this new idea in distribution? What trends had they seen among consumers? And what is it like having a big grower like *Driscoll’s as a neighbor? (Side Note: Adriana cites Tomatero’s certification through CCOF and their policies on major buffer zones where non-organic spraying is taking place.
*On their site, Driscoll’s tell us, all of their berries that are organic are Certified by the USDA, regardless of where they are grown. It also tells us (because there is a link for it) that they have conventional farming happening too).
Chris and Adriana at Nopa in 2010, where they were guests at our Complete the Circle Luncheon
Adriana’s story of meeting her husband/partner when she was hardly old enough to drink, then running a farm—it is so improbable, so romantic, it sounds like something we’d expect to read on the back of a wine label. But they’ve made it work. In just over 8 years, 4 acres has become 100 acres. And the Tomatero strawberries and tomatoes are among our favorites.
We are too happy to share the story of young farmers who took a risk and have carved out a sustainable life for themselves, their employees and the land. Their recent increase in acreage will allow them to rotate crops for the first time. With the new space and direct-to-consumer box, fortunately, Adriana full of energy. We can assure once you meet, you’ll feel good about supporting Tomatero. The vibrancy is contagious and reiterates a new generation in farming. And hopefully a new path.
Interview with Adriana Silva of Tomatero Farm (11.8M MP3 file)
Posted
March 11, 2012
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Post Phylloxera: Part 3 of 6 French Trinity
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We are asking a lot of you guys with this. In a way it does feel pretentious to name a cocktail something so difficult to pronounce. And doubly so when those would can manage still have no idea what is being referenced.
But there was no way around it. This is the name of the drink and the name makes sense. So we decided to share our thinking, rather than abandon the name. So here it is.
Post Phylloxera is a very common phrase in the world of wine. It is essentially the wine equivalent of BC and AD. So what is phylloxera? And how do you say it? It's a louse, or pest, that attacks grape vines. Their relentless root-gnawing block nutrients from getting to the vine. That makes it really hard to get healthy grapes. And it's pronounced, fah-lox-era.
Phylloxera is perhaps the most notorious enemy of the wine ever. As it spread through France, in the 1870's and on, reports of 60-90 % of European vineyards were wiped out. But after all of the expaining of the name and history, lest we not forget the to discuss the character of the drink. And you'll find solace in knowing it is easy to understand. If you enjoy an Old Fashioned, imagine the Post-Phylloxera as the French Trinity equivalent. Sugar, Armagnac and Pear Eau-de-vie. A Pear Old Fashioned. It tastes as good as it sounds.
Little Dragon Podcast
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Foremost, a disclaimer: You should listen to this audiocast if one of the following statements pertains to you:
1. You like Little Dragon
2. You've never heard of Little Dragon
3. You've heard of Little Dragon, but think you don't like them
4. You like awesome music
Awesomeness Personified. Click here to listen to the podcast
Wow this one took a long time. I was wildly excited to both conduct and release this podcast, but it was...ambitious. I am not an editor. The podcast evolved primarily through a sputtering series of glitches and my own technical incompetence. But I love it. And that's the main thing that comes through. Two people talking passionately about something they love. Like most of us doing what we like, I am the biggest critic of my work. But I must admit, I think this is cool.
For the uninitiated, Little Dragon is an indie/electronic band from Sweden (though I've been coached to refer to it as Electronic Soul. Not really sure who else is in this genre, but I want more. It is quite fitting for these guys). I've been aware of them for a few years, but this year they released their 3rd studio album, Ritual Union, a brilliant work that demanded a thorough exploration of their entire catalog. This process (along with an epic concert) brought me to an emphatic conclusion - Little Dragon is one of my favorite bands of all-time.
Really do have so much love for these guys
In the midst of this discovery period, I was randomly, perhaps divinely, graced by Genevieve Harder. Genevieve and I live in the same neighborhood. We met one morning at a Mojo coffee shop when I noticed that she was making calls and emails on behalf of the band. I am by no means a shy person, but it takes a very special circumstance for me to insert myself into someone else's morning coffee. But on that morning, that's exactly what happened. It turned out that Genevieve was a manager for the band. We spent the next hour carrying on about our mutual love for them and talking about their recent show at the Mezzanine just a few weeks earlier. Obviously since Genevieve had a personal relationship with them, I couldn't resist engaging her on favorite songs, shows and stories from her time with the group. The conversation lasted almost an hour, but I wanted so much more. I asked Genevieve if we could have a similar conversation in the form of a podcast and she obliged.
Ms. Genevieve
The first three podcasts I'd done were pretty intellectual with a pretty clear link to Nopa. When I decided to start doing Nopa podcasts, this wasn't necessarily what I envisioned, but it's exactly where I wanted to end up. It embodies the music that we listen to, a fortuitous meeting at a neighborhood coffee shop, with one of our regular guests. It is, in a sense, a more authentic depiction of community than I could've conceived.
It is a bit longer than usual, but that's only because there are awesome musical interludes woven throughout. Feel free to download the podcast and listen and re-listen at your leisure. On a run, on a bus, on a plane... All Dragon Everything! I hope you enjoy!
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Categories
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WineStephen Satterfield
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