Q: Earth Month is a time of renewal and focus on sustainability. What exciting new projects are you and the farm team working on this year?
The three biggest projects that come to mind are:
-
Seeding, growing, and harvesting more peppers than we have ever grown before. We will be growing just over 2,000 pepper plants to satisfy demands for our 2025 Napa Nash. We start seeds in February and are often still harvesting them into November.
-
Moving 150 existing olive trees from our Croquet property to our Oak Knoll property to give them more space and eventually increase production.
-
Getting ready for Farm Fest, an event highlighting farm-to-table Napa Valley experiences and organic farming Napa Valley initiatives.
Q: Earth Month is a time for reflection and action. Why is this month particularly important to you, Tessa?
Every month is Earth Month! Planting gardens during Earth Month is a reminder that human health depends on Earth health, and we, as a culture, should be honoring and respecting the Earth with our actions every single day. Earth Justice is People Justice and vice versa. I learned a lot from reading The Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas and recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about people/Earth liberation and eco-conscious farming.
Q: How does Clif Family engage with the local community to promote sustainable agriculture?
I love to be able to save seeds to share with our community seed libraries. The Napa County Seed Library, founded by mother/daughter Earth protector duo Lauren & Lavender Muscatine, has created a strong network of seed savers and partners, now with eight annexes of shared community seeds since their beginnings in 2020. Over the last four years, the Clif Family Farm team has been able to donate melon, corn, bean, and chili seeds to the library network. We have also donated extra seedlings to community gardens through this network. AND, starting last year, the Oak Knoll property has donated space directly to the Napa County Seed Library, where Lauren has been able to grow out locally adapted seeds for crops that are culturally relevant to our diverse communities. This is just one way Clif Family supports local food systems and sustainable farming in Napa Valley.
Q: What advice do you have for individuals looking to make more sustainable choices in their own lives, especially concerning food?
If you can shop at farmers’ markets, grow some of your own food, or join a CSA, that is wonderful. We can do these things while also acknowledging that these options aren’t accessible to everyone. Donating your time and money to local community food distribution programs, mutual aid, and community gardens helps us think about creating sustainable food systems that include our whole community.
At the grocery store, products claiming to be sustainable can be deceiving, so do a little research on corporate food brands/markets to see who owns whom and use your educated purchasing power against unethical companies. Shop at locally owned markets that prioritize sustainability.
Lastly, don’t let yourself feel guilty for not doing enough or making perfect choices because it’s not your fault that our current food system is not set up to be sustainable. Instead, focus on making small, impactful changes that contribute to a more Earth-friendly food choice approach.
Q: What is your favorite thing to cook with produce from the farm?
In the fall and winter, I love to roast pumpkins for pumpkin purée that I use all winter long for soups, curries, cakes, and pancakes. In the summer, I do more slicing than cooking. A fat slab of tomato with olive oil, salt, pepper, and basil is all I need! Supporting sustainable farming in Napa Valley means enjoying fresh, seasonal produce at its peak.
As we celebrate Earth Month, let’s take inspiration from the work happening at Clif Family Farm and find ways to incorporate sustainability into our own lives. Whether it’s growing your own food, supporting local farmers, or engaging in community programs, every action—big or small—contributes to a healthier planet. Cheers to a future that’s rooted in sustainability, one delicious harvest at a time!
