Complete Benefits

Carla teaches Grandpa the finer points of driving a tractor. Photo by Laura Patzer.

Marco said, “If you can set up your farming practices to focus on healthy soil, everything else takes care of itself. It’s not easy to do – it’s the hard way to farm because it’s more labor intensive. You’ve got to hoe the weeds out instead of spraying them. Instead of just spreading fertilizer, you’ve got to rely more on raising animals and planting cover crops and those types of things. “Healthier soil means healthier plants; and more nutrientdense vegetables means healthier people,” he said. Laura added, “We also started with our own kids in mind. Since they are in the field working with us, it’s very important that there be no herbicides and no pesticides if they grab a pepper or tomato and eat it on the spot.”

DAD IS WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS

Although the couple is changing the production practices used at Cherry Rock for decades, Laura said her father-inlaw has embraced the approach. Marco said, “He’s the kind of guy who’s always interested in a new and better way. He's always willing to try new things.” While officially retired, David was working in the field the day of this interview. “I don’t think he’ll ever retire,” Laura said. And while he was winding down operations to meet his own work capacity prior to 2014, Marco said his dad was really helpful in the business transition and teaching them the nuts and bolt of ramping production back up. “Quite honestly, it would have been impossible without his help. He’s been a good teacher.”

SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH & TAXES