Paul’s Produce is a 10-acre diversified vegetable farm located in the Sonoma Valley. The farm grows a wide range of produce, specializing in crops such as lettuce, carrots and onions.

Paul Wirtz has been continuously growing on leased land since 1987, both for his own business and, at one point, another local farm. Paul grew up in a farming family and, to this day, his family still grows cranberries in Wisconsin. He continued the tradition, forging his own path in agriculture. His farm has been a vital part of the Sonoma Valley local food scene for almost 40 years and the farm’s produce has been a constant presence at the local farmer’s market.

FEED is an important part of Paul’s Produce. Working with FEED has allowed the farm to shift their model over the years. Before FEED, the farm needed a large variety of offerings to be viable. With FEED, the farm is able to narrow crop diversity, which has led to greater efficiencies. FEED has also allowed the farm greater access to winter sales, which helps Paul maintain year-round work for his employees. Lastly, FEED has helped connect Paul’s Produce with buyers and customers in the greater Bay Area.

The farm is an efficient operation with a fairly small crew and reliance on specialized tools. Ergonomic hand tools, various customized cultivating equipment and transplanting machinery are all tools of the trade. The farm maintains healthy and productive soil through its use of farm-produced compost. Every year roughly 400 yards of compost is generated from farm material and green waste from local landscaping companies. Compost is applied every time the ground is turned. Not only is this compost beneficial for the farm, but it also ensures less green material ends up in the landfill.

Photos: Paige Green Photography & Paul’s Produce