Office work is important, but supporting your team and employees in times of high stress is important as well. We’re also noticing it will become more and more challenging to find people in agriculture that have management experience but can also do the hard work and jump in when needed. It is unfortunate to say but I would say the regulatory climate in the state.In 2017, I found the current greenhouse in Los Osos and that was the start of a company that now grows close to 4 million orchids per year, employs 40 great employees and is making California a lot prettier with our flowers. I worked for a large cut flower company, but my initial dream was always to start my own orchid enterprise in the USA. After working for several growers in California and one adventure in Virginia, we somehow landed on the Central Coast. Since I went to California a few times to visit my relatives and the idea of America, I thought back then it is

With my dad being an electrician in horticulture, he always took me everywhere so I could see at a young age what other growers do.Īlmost 8 years ago I decided to make some major changes in life, and after doing an internship in the crop we currently grow in New Zealand, it sparked my interest that the value of knowledge is way higher abroad then staying in The Netherlands. My grandpa’s cousin slowly purchased more and more of the existing company from my grandpa and he started cultivating perennials first, Dianthus, and later jumped into the world of cut Cymbidiums. My dad and almost all my family members helped out at the greenhouse a lot. They grew from two crops to one big cucumber facility. These are greenhouses that I don’t fit in since I am 6 feet 6. My grandpa and his brother built the first greenhouse for their production of tomatoes and cucumbers. Where my great grandfather grew under thin pieces of glass with bricks along the edges.

I have been exposed to horticulture for the majority of my life, my grandfather and his brother and my great grandfather were all growers.

Though his dedication and commitment to his profession are certainly inspiring, what I admire most is the respect and attention he gives to every person he interacts with.īas Van Eijk - Cal Coast Orchids Founder | Owner, Head-Grower I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today without his help and guidance, and I know that many others feel the same way.

Experience is something you get immediately after you need it.

Not only is it great physical exercise, but I have found that it is hard to worry about the day-to-day when you are singularly focused on trying to catch your breath. Additionally, my wife and I both enjoy Crossfit. I definitely follow the school of thought that the best time to plan your next vacation is when you are on your current one! I also love to ski, though I don’t l make it to the mountains as much as I’d like to. Those who know me know that I am constantly planning or updating our next trip.

Great motivation for those New Year’s resolutions. Though I do feel that the industry in general can be over-romanticized, the fact that we are able to sum up and entire years’ worth of hard work and dedication into a bottle is still very special to me. I truly enjoy being able to work with a wide variety of different growers towards a common goal and seeing how there are always different ways to approach the same problem. I am very lucky to be in a position in my company where I am able to work alongside our contract growers and manage a vineyard as well.I believe the biggest challenge agriculture faces, particularly in California, is the ag-urban interface and the, at times, negative perception of agriculture in the urban centers of our state.What’s the biggest challenge agriculture faces? Lohr Vineyards, and almost 10 years later and a few positions in between, I reached my current position as Grower Relations Manager. After my sophomore year, I was fortunate enough to be hired as a harvest intern for J. After my first day of classes my freshman year, I knew I had made the right choice and never really looked back. I grew up in the Bay Area and applied to the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture program on a bit of a whim with the idea being that I could always change my major if things didn’t work out. I really do not come from an agricultural background at all.How have you been involved in agriculture? Lohr Vineyards & Wines Grower Relations Manager

Elk grove high school craft fair 2021