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Home ยป Food Stories

Out Standing in the Field

by Beth Lee ยท Published: Apr 28, 2016 ยท Modified: Oct 24, 2019

An Idyllic Visit to a Strawberry Farm

This post was sponsored by the California Strawberry Commission. All opinions are my own.

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

โ€œWhatโ€™s not to love about strawberries? They are the shape of our hearts, the color of our blood. I love strawberries!โ€

โ€“ Miguel Ramos, Watsonville Strawberry Farmer, Ramos Farms

Though most of the farmland that existed in the heart of Silicon Valley is long gone, replaced by suburban sprawl, in under an hour I can be standing amidst acres of fertile fields. And thatโ€™s exactly where I stood on April 13, thanks to the California Strawberry Commission. They invited a group of Bay Area bloggers to visit Miguel Ramosโ€™ Watsonville strawberry farm and then dine on a 3-course strawberry-studded meal at Watsonvilleโ€™s Ellaโ€™s at the Airport restaurant.

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

For half a day I was in pure heaven -- breathing the Monterey Bay air withย gorgeous strawberry fields as my temporary office. Letโ€™s go on a virtual tour together:

A Quick Stop at the Airport, Then Off to the Fields

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry CommissionWe met at the Watsonville Airport and after a lovely morning snack and chance to meet fellow bloggers, we headed over toย Ramos Farmsย for a tour. The bus parked right in the field, we stepped out, and were greeted by Miguel Ramos, the owner of the 41 acres. He sharedย a quick overview of his background and a bit more about his passion for farming strawberries and then up into the field we went to pick, taste, and learn more about how these beauties grow.

Miguel has a degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in agronomy. The California Strawberry Commission describes strawberries as the โ€œcrop of opportunity." In fact,ย 90% of U.S. strawberries are grown year-roundย in Californiaย by 400ย diverseย familyย farmers, many on multi-generationย farms.ย Miguel started with just 1 acre and now has 41. Before he started farming, he was an agronomist who trainedย field workers about pesticides and fertilizers. He started to explore what types of crops can sustain familiesย economicallyย and decided to start a strawberry farm.

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

So Many Choices ...

Miguel grows three main varieties โ€“ Monterey, Cabrillo, and Albion. His personal favorite variety for eating unadorned isย the Albion variety. Unfortunately, they yield less per acre so he grows more Cabrillo and Monterey. But having tasted the other varieties straight off of the vine, I can assure you the Cabrillo and Monterey do not disappoint. The Albion hasย a slightly bigger flavor when you bite it, but the others areย a very close second indeed. Here Miguel is showing us how to tell the difference between varieties by the leaves - see how one curves up and one curves down? The one that is cupped up is Cabrillo.

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

Miguel showed us how to properly pick a strawberry - you should be able to hear the snap in this video:

Miguel alsoย talked to us about his raised bed farming and how the fumigants and pesticides are administered, how strict the rules are that he must follow, and how clean he keeps his fields as well as the very strict hygiene regimen each worker is taught and uses daily.ย Miguel and the Strawberry Commission shared an interesting perspective withย us: farmersย live and work in the communities where they farm โ€“ so protecting the health of the people, the land and environment is their topย priority. Hereโ€™s a great resource for science-based information about the safety of organic & conventional produce:ย Safe Fruits and Veggies. Based on reading many sources of information, I buy both organic and conventional strawberries because I believe thatย eating clean fresh produce of any kind is always a better foodย choice than consuming processed foods. ย 

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

And of course we couldn't leave Miguel's strawberry farm without posing with the farmer and his crop:

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission#8aDay

Most berry lovers don't need to be convinced to eat a lot of strawberries, but you may be surprised at just how healthy a choiceย they really are:

In just eight strawberries a day, you will find:

  • More vitamin C than an orange
  • Half the sugar of an apple, only 7 grams in a cup
  • One third the calories of a banana (45 in an 8 berry serving)
  • Twice as much fiber as a serving of grapes
  • The antioxidant, anthocyanin, which provides a strawberryโ€™s deep red coloring and has been suggested to improve memory and brain function. It is also thought that this antioxidant increases the dopamine in our body which is the hormone that makes us happy.
  • Strawberries also contain potassium which is thought to help control blood pressure.
  • Put all this together and the American Diabetes Association considers strawberries to be one of the tenย superfoods perfect for a well-balanced diabetic-safe meal.

Sweet or Savory? No Need to Decide

Whatโ€™s even better than all the nutrition facts? Just how well strawberries complement every part of your meal from appetizer to dessert. We were treated to a lovely lunch atย Ellaโ€™s at the Airport.

Appetizers included these cute skewers with pineapple, strawberries and a feta/goat cheese ball rolled in crispy prosciutto. Very refreshing with an unexpected savory punch from the cheese ball.

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

Appetizers also included this gluten free pizza (crust was terrific!) with fennel, strawberries, burrata cheese (yum!) and basil. What a mind-blowing combination. This is on my list to make for my first summer gathering.

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

For the main course, we had a choice of seared halibut or pork tenderloin served on a bed of cauliflower puree and topped with a strawberry salsa. On the side, light and refreshing greens with a champagne strawberry vinaigrette.

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

And dessert was a stacked tres leches cake layered with strawberry and regular whipped cream. Fun to look at and even better to eat.

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

To finish our experience, a blogger who is also a registered dietician, Sarah Koscyk, shared nutrition information with us about the superfood strawberry and we each went home with a crate of fresh-from-the-field berries.

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

That night, inspired by my visit to the strawberry farm, I made a strawberry salad with pomegranate vinaigrette. The vinaigrette recipe is already on my blog, the strawberry salad recipe is coming soon! It included spinach, baby kale, toasted hazelnuts, lemon goat cheese, and strawberries topped with a pomegranate molasses vinaigrette. I also made my favorite strawberry jam to date infused with orange and thyme. Recipe for that coming soon as well!

A visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry CommissionA visit to a Watsonville Strawberry Farm with the California Strawberry Commission

I canโ€™t wait for my next opportunity to be out standing in the strawberry fields. Until then, Iโ€™ll be looking for fresh strawberries at my weekend farmersโ€™ market and local groceries.

Here's some strawberry recipe inspiration already on my blog:

  • Roasted Strawberry Shortcake with Olive Oil and Orange-scented Whipped Cream
  • Strawberry Salsa with Fresh Basil and Balsamic Vinegar
  • Strawberry Jam Spiked with Pineapple Guava
  • Strawberry Spinach Salad
  • Berry Crisp
  • Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Roasted Strawberries
  • Fresh Fruit Compote: The Perfect Pancake Topper

I was compensated for this post by the California Strawberry Commission. All opinions are my own.

Some photos supplied by the California Strawberry Commission and Robert Durell Photography.

The California Strawberry Commission is a state government agency located in Northern California charged with conducting research to support Californiaโ€™s strawberry industry. With an emphasis on sustainable farming practices, the commission works with strategic partners focusing on production and nutrition research, food safety training and education, marketing and communications, trade relations and public policy.

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  1. Amelia

    July 12, 2016 at 6:26 am

    This is literally so cute! I am so jealous of your experience. I bet you felt so relaxed and rewarded afterwards.

    Just followed you on bloglovin and would love a follow back to support a smaller blog ๐Ÿ™‚

    http://cupsofteafortwo.blogspot.co.uk/

    Amelia

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      July 13, 2016 at 11:45 am

      Thanks Amelia - it was a great day of learning and enjoying the outdoors and great food together. I will check out your blog! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  2. Marci

    May 06, 2016 at 4:56 pm

    What a fabulous experience! That halibut sounds divine. You are so lucky to live in such close proximity to year-round strawberries. We have such a small window for local strawberries on the east coast.

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      May 13, 2016 at 8:44 am

      Hi Marci - thanks for stopping by. Yes, we are lucky to be so close to so much fresh produce but the Jersey Shore has its own advantages ... the ocean and The Boss! Hope you have a profuse if short season of berries. I remember picking blueberries on Mt. Greylock in Western MA when I was a kid. Oh the smell of any fresh berry is so fantastic!

      Reply
  3. Deb|EastofEdenCooking

    May 02, 2016 at 7:27 am

    What a wonderful California story! So much #BerryLuscious!

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      May 06, 2016 at 10:16 am

      Yup - so so California and I loved every minute of it. Hope you are as excited about summer fruit as I am! So looking forward to meeting you this summer Deb!

      Reply

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