FJ HOUSE Advocates: The Farmer and the Cook, Ojai, CA (pt. 1)

This weekend the Food Justice House took a trip to Ojai to visit the Farmer and the Cook restaurant and it's accompanying farm, Rancho Del Pueblo. Ojai, a quaint town located halfway between L.A. and Santa Barbara, quickly won the hearts of the FJH with its delightful town center and impressive scenery. However, it was the people we met that will ensure our return!

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I don't know much about the issues of FOOD JUSTICE outside of cities (Los Angeles to be specific), but that doesn't mean the farmers in Ojai don't know a lot about the problems here in LA. We spent the morning with Steve Sprinkel, the farm's manager and, as far I can tell, spokesman. Steve was quite the character, and it didn't take long for us to realize that he knew a great deal more than us about LA food politics. Wow, I thought we were the experts! I could go through and make a list of all the tidbits of knowledge we gained that morning, but I won't. Instead I recommend our readers take a trip to Ojai themselves and visit Mr. Sprinkel.

At the farm we spent the morning helping out Steve with farm chores. Picking chard was fun, but I got the most out of trimming back the lettuce. Wilting and parasites is something we struggle a bit with at our garden, so it was useful to see what these problems look like at a commercial level and to learn some solutions to dealing with these issues.

As we picked lettuce Steve discusses the woes and problems of mono-cropping, the corruption in organic foods, and his thoughts on Monsanto (which were for the most part fairly negative). Steve himself is a really interesting guy with a fun past. Today, Steve and his wife run the Farmer and the Cook, a restaurant in Ojai. The food at the restaurant is grown by Steve and is delivered fresh daily. Wow talk about vertical integration! Steve also supplies food to farmers markets, CSAs, and grocery store distributors.

Fun fact: he was also once a potter. Does this make him a Renaissance Man? Hmmm, I didn't see him A) Riding a horse or B) using a bow so I can't make a fair assessment. Either way, his farm, and Ojai in general, is worth a visit. Us at the FJH support organic food, but even more importantly, being informed about where our food comes from and who is involved in improving our access. A big thanks is given to Steve and his family and we hope to be back soon.

Rancho Del Pueblo is always looking for volunteers; if you're interested, check out their website.  Look forward to part 2 of our double header as we talk about the restaurant side of the Farm and the Cook!

Other titles I considered for this article :

One Sprinkel you won't find on a doughnut!

Sugar Free Sprinkels!

Sucka Free Sprinkels!

Ojai, a Land of OJ! 

Ojai, a Land of Milk and Sprinkels!

Oh Hey Ojai!

Sprinkels over Pringels!