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Another garden road trip this last weekend took me to Seabreeze Organic Farm located in San Diego, CA about a mile East of the 5 Freeway in Del Mar. The property was purchased in 1978 back when the land was mostly eucalyptus trees and rolling hills and has been producing crops for the past 21 years. Owners Stephenie Caughlin and Kendall Cook had a dream to create an organic farm while at the same time fostering community awareness about where our food comes. Seabreeze Organic Farm is a CSA Farm: Community Supported Agriculture which connects local growers directly with the community that is consuming their food. In order for a CSA farm to be productive it must have a commitment from its supporters with a recurring monthly fee since the economic future of the farms depends on the ability to produce and deliver goods in a continuous relationship with them. Some of the challenges of a small farm are its ability to produce a diversity of produce while at the same time getting paid a fair market value for what is grown.

I was surprised to learn about the increasing economic and political challenges that the owners face on a weekly basis to keep their farm prosperous. In order to keep up with the financial strains they have opened up their farm as a sanctuary for tours, fundraisers, private events and nature walks to name a few. Deliveries go out on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to 27 cities in San Diego county including gift bag options, mixed edible flower bags and fruit deliveries to businesses. Online shopping is also available on the Seabreeze web site for a diverse selection of items like raw honey, coffee, edible flowers, eggs, oils, herbs, earthworms, etc. Emphasis on the ETC. there is much more available on the web site.

The Tour on Saturday was hosted by members of  Slow Food San Diego with about 25 people in attendance and a cost of $35.00 a head. The tour included meeting the owners, an amazing sit down vegetarian lunch and plenty of time to ask all the questions we wanted. Owner Stephenie Caughlin was wonderful about allowing us to meander freely around the farm and was available to educate us every step of the way. The photos below show how lovely this farm truly is and hopefully conveys how vitally important it is for a community to know and support its local growers. Buy Local!  Link to: Seabreeze Organic Farm Link to: Slow Food Urban San Diego

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: http://www.nadiaknows.com ♥ A place to grow ♥

Made with hay -building on property

FLOWERS

Chicken Coop

Every area of the property has something growing in it. The farm produces an abundance for its size.

Squash growing on fences

Vertical Garden area of Bok Choy

Lemon Verbena and Lavender Tea served at lunch. Herbs were brewed in the sun just like sun tea. It was yummy!

Lavender Drying and Hanging in bunches