10/01/2016
https://www.facebook.com/billy.woodson/posts/10153968237071724
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart , I make another post of a local Farm passing. Blue Heron farms in Fallbrook, formerly Peterson Specialty Produce, was one of the last baby organic lettuce producers in the county. Andrea grew the best baby lettuces anywhere for the last 30 years. Her strawberries, Oh her strawberries , where the most flavorful strawberries in town. Her raspberries, Oh her raspberries , I don't know the words to describe them. She was a farmer who enhanced the land she grew on, rather than poison it.
She will be leaving San Diego in the truck she used to shlep her product around town in, the clothes on her back, and countless good friends whose life she has touched with her farming operation, and the bed-and-breakfast. She's heading north to be with family, where she will undoubtably continue to touch lives, and stay in touch with her environment.
I was fortunate enough to work for Andrea for a short time. She took me in like she does a homeless wounded possum or a wounded bird. She nursed me back to health, and encouraged me to fly. I will be ever in her debt.
She told me she couldn't afford to farm anymore. The increasing water cost , other production costs, and increasing regulations, have made things incredibly difficult for small farmers in California.
I don't think that is why she is closing. Her downfall was that her quality was too high, and she was too ethical in her business dealings. If she had only compromised. If she had lowered her standards like others in the industry have, and been less concerned with her social responsibilities as a business owner, she would have a few more years left growing in San Diego.
Now I'm sorry to say, I feel the hot Wind of Change blowing against my back as well. Market gardeners like me have gone from being a necessity, to a novelty. What's next? I'm off to search my soul, and mourn the losses of a dear friend.
God Bless Andrea Peterson
