Farming in Harmony at Lakeside Organic Gardens

The roots of Lakeside Organic Gardens run as deep as the rich soil of California's Pajaro Valley. Dick Peixoto spent his childhood following his father through the fields, absorbing every bit of farming wisdom he could. In 1996, Dick made a bold choice to move away from conventional farming and embrace organic farming. Guided by a vision of growing food in harmony with nature, Lakeside Organic Gardens continues to grow over 50 different varieties of vegetables, bringing fresh, organic produce to tables across the region.

The folks at Lakeside Organic know that every drop of water counts. They have pioneered smart water conservation methods by using technologies like GPS laser leveling and pressure-compensating drip irrigation. These methods have significantly reduced their water usage while ensuring their crops thrive.

Lakeside Organic embraces nature's solutions instead of conventional pesticides. Their fields buzz with life—quite literally—as they maintain dedicated pollinator habitats, use insects like ladybugs to manage crop-threatening pests, and install owl boxes and bat houses for natural pest control.

Their soil management practices are equally impressive, employing crop rotation, cover cropping, and careful composting to build healthy, living soil that produces nutritious, flavorful produce while preserving the land for future generations.

The guiding principle at Lakeside Organic Gardens is to work with nature, not against it. “Mother Nature had this figured out long before we arrived, all we have to do is help her as much as we can,” Dick says. His recognition as the Organic Grower Summit’s 2024 Grower of the Year is a reflection that caring for the land makes all the difference when growing vegetables.

How To Add Farm Stand Products to Your Delivery:

CSA members - head on over to our online Farm Stand Market to customize your upcoming delivery. Market is open from noon on Thursday until 6 pm on your cutoff date. After you confirm your produce items, click the orange button "Confirm and Continue To Other Farm Products" to add the products to your delivery.

Not part of our farm family? Find out if we deliver to your neighborhood. You can even get your whole office in on the fun with our office snack packs. Find more information about our office deliveries here.

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Photos: Lakeside Organic Gardens/Facebook

Plant Therapy's Organic Castor Oil

In the world of natural beauty, sometimes the most powerful solutions come from the simplest sources. Plant Therapy's Organic Castor Oil is one such marvel. It is a pure, cold-pressed oil derived from the Ricinus communis plant and carefully processed to preserve its natural healing properties.

Castor oil is more than just another beauty product, for some folks, it represents a natural approach to skincare and hair care. Cold-pressed to maintain its integrity, the oil is packed with vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and powerful antioxidants. What makes it truly special is its versatility—from hair and eyebrow care to gentle moisturizing.

For folks looking to enhance their hair care routine, this oil offers a natural solution. A quarter-sized amount massaged into the scalp can help condition and strengthen hair. Your eyelashes and eyebrows will appreciate how a gentle nightly application can help nourish and potentially support hair growth.

Plant Therapy has thoughtfully crafted this oil to be as pure as possible. Free from alcohol, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, it represents a clean, ethical approach to beauty. Whether you're using it as a standalone carrier oil or incorporating it into broader skin care projects, a little goes a long way.

Pro tip: If you find the oil too thick, try mixing it with lighter carrier oils like jojoba to create a more manageable consistency.

Embracing natural beauty is about nurturing yourself with ingredients that respect both your body and the environment. Plant Therapy's Organic Castor Oil embodies this philosophy, offering a simple yet powerful tool in your self-care routine.

How To Add Farm Stand Products to Your Delivery:

CSA members - head on over to our online Farm Stand Market to customize your upcoming delivery. Market is open from noon on Thursday until 6 pm on your cutoff date. After you confirm your produce items, click the orange button "Confirm and Continue To Other Farm Products" to add the products to your delivery.

Not part of our farm family? Find out if we deliver to your neighborhood. You can even get your whole office in on the fun with our office snack packs. Find more information about our office deliveries here.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.