The Future of Agriculture in Ojai
BRANDON DESJARLAIS FOR UNSPLASH
The Ojai Valley Museum has opened its doors to its latest exhibition, “Does Agriculture Have a Future in the Ojai Valley?” Running from April 9 to August 4, visitors are invited to delve into the verdant heart of local farming. With the tranquil backdrop of the Ojai Valley, famed for its sprawling orchards and the sweet aroma of citrus blossoms, this thought-provoking showcase highlights agriculture’s vital role in shaping the Valley’s landscape and community while posing poignant questions about its sustainability and evolution.
A standout feature is a collection of soil samples meticulously gathered by Jennifer Jordan Day from various local farms. Each jar, a mosaic of layered earth from establishments such as Poco Farm, Essick Ranch, and Churchill Orchard, offers a palpable connection to the very ground that feeds the Valley. These samples are a simple yet profound reminder of the diversity and richness of the soil that underpins the local agricultural industry.
STEVE SPRINKEL, JIM CHURCHILL, AND GRACE MALLOY ARE AMONG THE FEATURED FARMERS
Throughout the show, compelling portraits by Peter Adams are featured. His lens captures the rugged grace of those who work these lands, providing a window into the souls of the Valley’s farmers and farm workers. The stories uncovered through Andra Belknap’s interviews offer a narrative as grounded as the soil itself, sharing the spoken truth of the people behind the produce.
LEFT:
Grace Malloy Farm Educator, Poco Farm
I'm a farm educator. I'm not a farmer and I've been supported a lot by local farmers and local farm workers. I am one of four founding board members of the Thursday Farmers Market. It's about making local food accessible to local people and helping develop a more resilient local food shed. And it's become really clear that a gathering space for parents after school is really great.
A selection of vintage machinery and farm tools enhances the textual narrative. These relics articulate the history of farming innovation in the Valley. From the weathered wood of a citrus sorter to the faded steel of a pixie sizer, each piece echoes the evolution of agricultural practices in Ojai.
As we ponder the future of agriculture in the Ojai Valley, this exhibition stands as a crucial reflection on the industry’s past and present. It underscores the beauty and challenges — like water scarcity and labor costs — intrinsic to farming and the importance of sustaining the practices that have long defined this area.
The Ojai Valley Museum invites all to experience this exploration of soil and soul, portrait and practice. Immerse yourself in the living history and present reality of Ojai’s agriculture and perhaps join the conversation on its path forward.
Speaking of Farms, What’s up at Poco?
Now armed with a nonprofit status, Grace, Dan, and new partner Darrell Forthe set out to educate the Valley.
PHOTO BY LIAM PICKHARDT
