SACRAMENTO – Whether it’s picking pumpkins in the fall or strawberries in springtime, chances are that if you grew up in Ventura County you have made some lasting childhood memories at Underwood Family Farms. This is one of the reasons why Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) today recognized Underwood Family Farms as the 44th Assembly District Small Business of the Year at the 2015 California Small Business Day in Sacramento.
Since 2000, the California State Assembly hosts “California Small Business Day” annually to honor the outstanding small businesses throughout California. “Families and agriculture are two of our top priorities in Ventura County,” said Assemblymember Irwin. “For decades, Underwood Family Farms has played an integral role in bringing the two together. A yearly visit to the farm was a family tradition when my children were young and I always look forward to my stops at the roadside stands on the weekends,” said Irwin. “I am proud to highlight Underwood Family Farms and their contribution to our community.”
For more than two decades, Underwood Family Farms has worked to enrich the lives of residents of Ventura County not only with their produce but their fun and educational events. Underwood Family Farms provides visitors with year-round opportunities to walk the land, dig in the dirt, and buy local produce. “Our mission is to strengthen the relationship between consumers and our farm through direct marketing of high quality produce and positive farm experiences,” said owners Sara-Jane and Craig Underwood. In fact, last year alone Underwood Family Farms hosted 1,032 field-trips from local schools and educated 66,316 children, parents, and teachers about agriculture, fresh food, and healthy eating.
Over the years, Underwood Family Farms has worked to expand their community impact beyond the farm by marketing fresh produce to consumers through two roadside stands, farmers markets, summer camps, Community Supported Agriculture, and by hosting an annual Harvest Festival. The Harvest Festival helps generate $100,000 for local non-profits, all while helping connect residents to local agriculture and fresh food.