Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/331109
38 JULY 2014 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com Q: What was your path to farming? As a kid I pretty much was dead-set that I was going to be a farmer. Q: You left farming for a while and came back ½ZI]IEVWEKS;LEX was it like returning? At fi rst it was a struggle. It's a dif- ferent lifestyle, but in the end, now that I have two small children, they love being out on the farm. They are living the life that I had when I was a kid. Q: What challenges does your farm face? The land that we're in is very fl at and is very sandy. We have different challenges in regards to diseases. Cankers are one of the more common along with nematodes in our soils. Growing peaches is a pretty tough crop. I know a lot of people are transitioning out of peaches and going into nuts—especially almonds and walnuts. Q: What about labor? By far, being a farmer out here is about fi nding labor to pick and maintain the crops. Peaches are just so labor intensive. During the peak of harvest we may have 40 people working at once, whereas during the off season we may have three. We have to fi nd labor quickly. Peaches are a delicate fruit so you can't just wait. They have to be picked right away. Peter Martini LAST BITE Young Growers will be featured here XLVSYKLSYX Learn more at: KSSHJVYMXGSQ]K KVS[IV)WGEPSR'EPMJSVRME " " " PLAY goodfruit.com/yg scan to watch XLIMRXIVZMI[ EKI37 GVSTWPeaches and almonds XMXPIFarm manager FYWMRIWWMartini Farms, LLC Peter is a third-generation farmer taking over the business from his parents. Peter's grandparents started farming in Escalon after immigrating from Italy in the 1920s. IHYGEXMSRMaster's degree in plant breeding from University of California, Davis photo & video by TJ Mullinax 5;LEXHS]SYPSZI about farming? To me it's a noble job. It's a job where you are providing food for people. I guess I would equate it with being a policeman or fi reman, where it's personally rewarding. Before returning, I know the company I was working for did well. But now, especially because I'm the manager of the farm, I know my hard work directly goes to produce food for people and a living for my family. That's the main benefi t of being a farmer. I get to work hard and see a direct result of that hard work. " "