Larry Jacobs and Sandra Belin are expanding their Pescadero organic farm to meet growing demand, reports Julia Scott in the Mercury News.
When Larry Jacobs and his wife Sandra Belin bought a small Pescadero farm in 1980 with the intention of growing produce without pesticides, the farmers in the area laughed at them. Literally.
“They said, ‘It’s not possible to do that without spraying.’ One guy told me, ‘I put this stuff on my cereal. It’s not going to hurt you,” recalls Jacobs. “Now he’s been asking me about how you get certified organically.”
Thirty years later, the couple has had the last laugh. Jacobs Farm is the largest culinary organic herb grower in the country, with seven organic farms spread out across San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties as far south as Watsonville. Their other company, Del Cabo, imports 19 million pounds of sweet, organic cherry tomatoes and other vegetables from their partner co-op in Mexico, where farmers earn good profits for their work.
This is an interesting profile of a company that has made sound agriculture work on the Southcoast.


Pacifica examines widening part of Hwy 1 to six lanes, Mar 15 9:49pm, Carl May — No, Route 1 does not become a freeway north of Reina del Mar in Pacifica. There is side traffic from the police station, the orchid nursery/GGNRA trailhead, Mori Point Road, and, especially, the dangerous intersection of Westport after RdM. Then ...
Pacifica examines widening part of Hwy 1 to six lanes, Mar 15 6:16pm, Barry Parr — We use the vet on that stretch of Hwy 1. A couple of years ago, we took Fireball to the vet. Julia was six and as soon as she got out of the car, she put her hands on her ears. I don’t blame her. I’ve been keeping track of sound levels in my ...
The Coastside's uninsured need your help, Mar 15 5:51pm, Suzanne Black — Excellent article, Cheryl. It brings home the national argument over health care reform. So much misinformation in the media and blogs! But it boils down to how we treat our neighbors—and our own and our families’ futures. Your advice is our best ...
Pacifica examines widening part of Hwy 1 to six lanes, Mar 15 5:23pm, Stephen Lowens — A few comments on the proposal to widen Highway 1 through Pacifica: Personal qualifications for these comments: A) 47 years of experience as a traffic engineer; licensed since 1975. B) Attendance at a seminar in El Granada on March 13, ...
Pacifica examines widening part of Hwy 1 to six lanes, Mar 15 3:08pm, Kevin Barron — The meeting is the first step to creating a Draft Environmental Impact Report. I’m curious if the draft EIR will include environmental impact of NOT widening the highway, given the pile of cars and trucks running on idle during the commute ...
Pacifica examines widening part of Hwy 1 to six lanes, Mar 15 9:28am, Barry Parr — That particular stretch of Hwy 1 is particularly unpleasant and potentially dangerous for pedestrians, including the patrons of the businesses on the east side of the highway. Widening the highway will exacerbate the problem. This will only seem ...
Seton resident's work on display in show at State Capitol, Mar 15 7:40am, Suzanne Black — Fabulous image! There’s no age or mobility limit on talent and creativity. Mr. Moses has the right idea: “It’s important to me to remain busy and productive regardless of where I happen to call home,” said Moses. “I hope others will also ...