Press Room / Media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2010
PlacerGROWN Names
Bryan Kaminsky, Natural Trading Company
2010 “Farmer of the Year”
FEBRUARY 1, 2010 – LINCOLN. PlacerGROWN honors Bryan Kaminsky, owner of the Natural Trading Company, as the 2010 Farmer of the Year. Bryan took an interest in raising animals at a young age, and considers himself fortunate to have gone to Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, in a district that offered an agricultural education program.
His interest in organics also has a long history. His mother owned a natural foods store, the Natural Trading Company, in the 1970s. When Bryan started farming in Placer County fifteen years ago, he adopted his mother’s company’s name as his own. His innovative approach to farming, along with his success at marketing a diverse variety of products, have won acclaim not only from his customers and fellow producers, but from Placer County’s Board of Supervisors.
In 2007, after twelve years of cultivating his two and a half acre organic farm in Penryn along with ten acres on a neighboring farm, Bryan purchased 40 acres on Fruitvale Road from the Yoshikawa family.
Buying land in such a fast-growing county is a huge investment, so Bryan approached Placer Legacy, Placer County’s open space and habitat conservation program, for a solution. He is seeking an Agricultural Conservation Easement, which involves selling the future development rights on the land. It’s a way for farmers to bring needed cash for investment in infrastructure, further ensuring the economic vitality of the farm.
“Because of Natural Trading Company’s well-regarded status as a viable agricultural business, coupled with the emerging agricultural economy in Placer County, the Board of Supervisors has directed us to pursue a grant from the State of California’s Farmland Conservancy Program”, says Clark. “This program allows farmers to acquire land they couldn’t otherwise afford, and this property in particular has the good soil and availability of water necessary for a sustainable agricultural operation.”
Bryan is creating a highly visible model for Placer County agriculture. Gazing out over the rolling hills, the extensive changes wrought on the land are obvious, newly tilled fields and three hundred newly planted fruit trees interspersed with the gnarly old trees. Dozens of hoop houses give an early start to winter greens and tomatoes.
Diversification is one of Bryan’s successful business practices. The Natural Trading Company’s primary market for their organic produce is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Members subscribe at the beginning of the season for a weekly “harvest box” of fresh-picked, seasonal organic produce, customized by the size and eating habits of their family. With the new acreage, increased production has allowed him to expand the number of CSA customers he can serve. In addition to the CSA boxes, the Natural Trading Company is a regular vendor at the Foothill Farmers’ Markets.
This year Bryan experimented with raising 350 pastured chickens and 22 turkeys, helping to improve his soil while controlling insects and providing meat to his customers.
A greenhouse is dedicated to the biggest cash crops, wheat grass and pea shoots, which are sold direct to stores such as Sacramento Natural Food Coop, Newcastle Produce and Whole Foods. While the wheat grass and pea shoots represent nearly 50% of his income, Bryan derives pleasure from meeting customers face to face. “Sometimes I get caught up in work and think I’m too busy to go to the farmers’ market”, says Bryan. “But my greatest reward is the feedback we get from our customers, knowing how much they love the taste and quality of what we grow.”
As today’s keynote speaker, Lynn Miller, says, the success of small farms depends on having the right farmers on the land. Bryan Kaminsky is one of the right farmers for the continued viability of Placer County agriculture.
For information PlacerGROWN, visit (530) 889-7398.
PlacerGROWN is a nonprofit, membership organization formed to assist local agricultural producers market their produce and agricultural products. The goal is to bring farmers, ranchers and community members together to maintain and enhance the viability of agriculture in Placer County. For information about PlacerGROWN, visit placergrown.org or call (530) 889-7398.
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