Rancho Santa Clara del Norte’s farming operations draw upon a long history of agricultural diversity.  This dates to the Chumash period when the land’s year-round springs and proximity to the Santa Clara River supported a variety of edible and remedial plants, grasses and trees as well as grazing animals and small mammals.  A similar diversity characterized the early colonial period, where crop diversity consisted of flax, wine grapes, stone fruit, beans, citrus, cattle and sheep. 

We continue to draw upon this rich agricultural fabric today, and blend our agricultural diversity with regenerative farming practices to produce highly nutritious food, with fewer man-made inputs, in a way that supports a healthy environment. 

There are acres of citrus and avocado orchards and acres of flat cropland, rich in alluvial soils that support thriving row crops including berries and green vegetables.  The ranch’s hillside pastures, and nearby riparian lands in the Santa Clara River basin support its farming operations with biodiverse habitat.  Native bees in our grazing pastures support European honey bees to pollinate both the citrus and avocado crops.  Raptors and owls which find shelter in the riparian habitat help manage rodent populations.  Finally, a diversity of plant life serves as a smorgasbord of feed and fodder, enabling insect and small mammal populations to remain balanced and controlled. 

Avocados are processed and marketed by Index Fresh, a leading packer, shipper and marketer focused on premium California avocados.  Lemons are processed and marketed by Sunkist, through our cooperative packing house, Saticoy Lemon Association.   We have carefully manage short and medium term leasing operations for our farmland and pastureland and oversee conservation agencies for our riparian property.