Animalitos Farm is a 10 acre farm in Occidental specializing in stone fruit. The farm grows a variety of plums, prunes, pluots, Asian and European pears.

In 1990, the farm started out by growing row crop vegetables. They planted their fruit trees in 2001, with the idea that fruit crops were needed for wholesale distribution from this area and they had the soil and climate well-suited for a variety of fruit trees. They planted 10-20 trees of many varieties to have a staggered and prolonged tree-ripened fruit season. 

The trees are organically grown and dry-farmed. The majority of their fruit crop is sold through FEED. They feel that they couldn’t do it without FEED’s wholesale distribution and FEED Bin boxes. FEED’s role in our food system is something that owner Susan Stover had hoped for. The importance of local distribution is paramount to small producers. They’re proud of the growth and support of the FEED network, and glad to be a small part of it.

Photos: Kelsey Joy Photography