It's the largest grower of organic produce in North America. Earthbound Farm has more than a hundred products on the market.

"We're always trying to think of ways to tread more lightly on the planet. But the fact that we're producing organic, it feels great knowing that we're providing healthier food to hopefully help nurture healthier people," said Founder Myra Goodman.
While the company is based in San Juan Bautista, this bucolic piece of land in the lush Carmel Valley is where Earthbound develops its crops. The research involves a lot more than just digging in the dirt.

"We have meetings in the wintertime and we always pick 10 or 20 products that we want to focus on growing during the year. We do extensive research, including spreadsheets and data collection," said Earthbound farmer Mark Marino.

This year Earthbound is researching microgreens as well as a type of baby kale called Neopolitan. "We work directly with a lot of the top chefs in the United States. What we're looking for is something that will make them excited and happy because in the fashion of the food world chefs are the ones that start the trend," Marino said.

Not only is this a farm laboratory for exciting new crops, it's also a place for visitors. Earthbound has a full calendar of activities for the public. They include the popular "Chef Walks." This is an hour-long activity where Marino and a visiting chef take you around the farm to pick produce. The chef then prepares something right there on the farm. There's also an enchanting children's garden, a favorite for school groups.

Last year some two thousand children visited this magical place.
Last, but definitely not least, is the lovely little farmstand where you can buy all of the wonderful things Earthbound grows, as well as top produce from areas farmers. For more information on activities call 831-625-6219 or log onto the website at www.ebfarm.com

As of November 1, 2001, the Earthbound Farmstand is only open Saturdays until Christmas and then will be closed until Earth Day April 22, 2002, at which time they will resume their daily operations and Saturday Events.