It’s Tuesday morning and the first time in over four years that I am not packing farm boxes. I’m up at my dad’s (Tom Shepherd) house on the Santa Barbara Blueberry farm which is right next door to his 15 acre farm on Nojoqui Park Road.

It’s been an interesting four months for my dad. Up until the end of March, Tom was doing most of the farmers markets himself. You could find him at the Tuesday & Saturday farmers markets in Santa Barbara and his business partner Maxamino would run Carpinteria, Goleta, and Montecito. The five markets were all they needed to run their farm and have a nice simple life. 

When COVID hit around mid-March, at first, there was a surge in business. People were in panic mode and bulk buying at the farmers market. It was scary not knowing how we would be affected or when the frenzy would end. However, about a week after the initial panic ended, the farmers market shifted from a routine for many people to perhaps a threat to many people. They were fearful of crowds, worried about cross contamination, concerned with how cash would be handled, and more. Sales became low and my dad was fearful of his own health which ultimately how he decided he should not continue doing farmers markets. 

Over these past months, it’s been a time of adjusting, figuring out finances, learning, tapping into resources, and figuring out what the next steps will be. Tom collaborated with Folded Hills Winery to create their own CSA program, he continued to sell to the Isla Vista Co-op, and we supported him by incorporating the produce he had available into our farm boxes.

Tom took the time over the last few months to really thoughtfully plant out his summer season. For the first time in years, he had the time to stake and string his tomatoes properly. He planted a lot of winter squash to ease the transition from summer to winter. He also planted a boat load of melons! Tom says, “I worked 8 days a week and I really enjoyed it.”

As we continue to battle COVID as a community, we are doing our best to support farmers through these times. Last week, my dad went back to the farmers market. He’s at a point where he needs to make a little bit of income. But he is implementing all the correct safety protocols. Each vendor has their own “system” but at Tom’s booth, you tell him what you want and he collects the produce. A separate person is solely responsible for all cash transactions. Just like anywhere else, vendors and customers must wear face masks and follow the guide of 6 ft markers to keep their space.

We are excited to announce that we are finally carrying some of my dad’s FAMOUS Herbs De Provence as an add on! This is just another avenue we can use to support our local growers. Not to mention the flavor of this herb mixture is absolutely INSANE. Tom grows the herbs, solar dries them, and crushes the mixture by hand. It’s DELICIOUS on meats, roasted veggies, eggs, soups and in salad dressings. Look for the mix on our Friday Add-On email and if you see Tom at the farmers market, make sure to send him a waive.