Last week was the 46th happening of EcoFarm at Asilomar in Pacific Grove. EcoFarm was originally called “To Husband, The Earth.” Its goal is to encourage development of sustainable, regenerative, organic small farms in local communities in contrast to industrial agriculture.
It started with Amigo Bob, who founded California Certified Organic Farmers, one of the nation’s first organic certification organizations at a time when there were few organic farms. His vision and energy helped him launch California’s first natural foods distribution company, first organic farm supply company and first organic crop consultancy, and the Ecological Farming Conference (EcoFarm) as a founding member.
Small farmers gather at the Asilomar Conference Center for a week to learn how to improve soil and grow and market better food without chemicals. This year over 1,500 people attended; some traveling from Japan and Peru. A significant portion of the conference took place in Spanish. Both Spanish-to-English and English-to-Spanish translation services were offered, as the conference seeks to elevate Latine farm workers to farm owners. Developing regenerative food supply chains in local communities, expanding heritage seed use, teaching better agricultural methods, and changing equity and access in our food supply were key elements at this year’s conference. Between seminars, walks to the ocean reveal peaceful scenes like the one above.
FUN FACTS: Robert Michael Cantisano (1951-2020) received his nickname as a teenager for his friendly, happy manner, which he carried through life. A Jerry Garcia-like figure, his uniform was tie-dye shirts, shorts and sandals. Noted author Michael Pollen said Amigo Bob “held the sum total of organic farming practices.” Those who attend Amigo Bob’s conference shouldn’t miss the live-music barn dance on the last night.
There are approximately 100 species of sandpipers. The ones above are likely pectoral sandpipers which frequent Asilomar Beach. Part of the Charadriiformes order and Scolopacidae family, these birds have long legs and elongated bills for foraging in sand and mud. They are precocial and nidifugous, meaning: relatively mature at birth and able to quickly leave the nest.
The Sandpiper movie featured Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Directed by Vincent Minnelli and released in 1965, it grossed $15 million on a $5 million budget. Filmed in Big Sur, Raquel Welch was a body-double in some beach scenes.
