Herbert Family's CSA History
Pat Herbert started the Herbert Family’s CSA program in 2000 to feed his desire to connect with his local community by offering weekly
boxes of his farm’s bounty. Two years later, his daughter, Becky Herbert, left her job in publishing to help market the farm’s produce.
What started out as a temporary job quickly became permanent when Becky recognized her love for the reverence of this lifestyle and
the food that comes from such a labor of love.
Being understanding to the fact that people have different food
preferences, Becky decided to change the structure of the CSA
program from being a standard share where members get whatever
food is selected by the farmer to letting members select from a list
of fruits and vegetables to fill their weekly orders. Thus, the first
customizable CSA was born in 2002!
After a decline in his health, Pat took his doctor's advice and cut
back his farming business in 2006 which meant giving up his
commitment to growing a variety of fruits and vegetables for the
CSA. Pat being a fourth generation farmer in the Herbert family
made this decision almost against his will, but knew it was necessary
for his health. Having established many friendships with members,
Becky couldn't imagine closing the CSA down. In those four years,
she had developed these close relationships, ignited a passion for
cooking and sharing food with others, and built a business model
unique to the CSA world which allows members to customize their
weekly shares.
Determined to keep the CSA going, Becky reached out to farmer friends in San Benito County to see if they would be willing to supply
food to to her customers. Fortunately all agreed and the program continued! Together with her husband, Bryan Proehl, Becky
established Eating with the Seasons LLC and has gone on to form partnerships with local, organic farmers and food purveyors that hold
the same food values as her father: high quality and nutrient-dense.
Today, Eating with the Seasons is proud to serve many members who have been supporting the Herbert’s CSA for all of these 14 years!
Pat Herbert started the Herbert Family’s CSA program in 2000 to feed his desire to connect with his local community by offering weekly
boxes of his farm’s bounty. Two years later, his daughter, Becky Herbert, left her job in publishing to help market the farm’s produce.
What started out as a temporary job quickly became permanent when Becky recognized her love for the reverence of this lifestyle and
the food that comes from such a labor of love.
Being understanding to the fact that people have different food
preferences, Becky decided to change the structure of the CSA
program from being a standard share where members get whatever
food is selected by the farmer to letting members select from a list
of fruits and vegetables to fill their weekly orders. Thus, the first
customizable CSA was born in 2002!
After a decline in his health, Pat took his doctor's advice and cut
back his farming business in 2006 which meant giving up his
commitment to growing a variety of fruits and vegetables for the
CSA. Pat being a fourth generation farmer in the Herbert family
made this decision almost against his will, but knew it was necessary
for his health. Having established many friendships with members,
Becky couldn't imagine closing the CSA down. In those four years,
she had developed these close relationships, ignited a passion for
cooking and sharing food with others, and built a business model
unique to the CSA world which allows members to customize their
weekly shares.
Determined to keep the CSA going, Becky reached out to farmer friends in San Benito County to see if they would be willing to supply
food to to her customers. Fortunately all agreed and the program continued! Together with her husband, Bryan Proehl, Becky
established Eating with the Seasons LLC and has gone on to form partnerships with local, organic farmers and food purveyors that hold
the same food values as her father: high quality and nutrient-dense.
Today, Eating with the Seasons is proud to serve many members who have been supporting the Herbert’s CSA for all of these 14 years!
Our Story
Herbert Family Farming History
The Herbert Family has been farming in Hollister since 1868
when James Hudner purchased land from Colonel Hollister
at the beginning of the town’s development. The land as
well as the farming business has been passed down from
generation to generation to the present owners, Pat & Patti
Herbert. In 1968 after the death of their father, brothers Phil
and Pat took over running the family farm. In 1985, Pat and
his wife Patti bought out
Phil’s share of the business. Since then they have been the
sole managers of the farm.
After many years of conventional farming, Pat decided to
steer his efforts towards becoming completely organic in
1989. A couple of years later, he attended a soil
management and composting seminar in Pennsylvania given
by the Lubke family of Austria. Their method combines a
proper aerobic composting process along with proper soil
management. The Lubkes taught that building your soil with
the proper compost recipe – consisting of dairy manure,
yard clippings, and clay soil – was key in growing healthy,
nutritious produce. Supplying people with nutritious
produce, would, in effect, make healthier people.
Today supplying nutrient-dense food to people is the core
goal and value of all Herbert Family business endeavors.
when James Hudner purchased land from Colonel Hollister
at the beginning of the town’s development. The land as
well as the farming business has been passed down from
generation to generation to the present owners, Pat & Patti
Herbert. In 1968 after the death of their father, brothers Phil
and Pat took over running the family farm. In 1985, Pat and
his wife Patti bought out
Phil’s share of the business. Since then they have been the
sole managers of the farm.
After many years of conventional farming, Pat decided to
steer his efforts towards becoming completely organic in
1989. A couple of years later, he attended a soil
management and composting seminar in Pennsylvania given
by the Lubke family of Austria. Their method combines a
proper aerobic composting process along with proper soil
management. The Lubkes taught that building your soil with
the proper compost recipe – consisting of dairy manure,
yard clippings, and clay soil – was key in growing healthy,
nutritious produce. Supplying people with nutritious
produce, would, in effect, make healthier people.
Today supplying nutrient-dense food to people is the core
goal and value of all Herbert Family business endeavors.
| ©2014 Eating with the Seasons, All rights reserved. |
Farmer Pat cultivating his fields
The "Old House" at the Herbert Ranch Painting by our cousin, Carol Copeland
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| Proudly connecting you to the freshest local, organic food and the farmers & artisans who produce them since 2002 |