By Wendy Weitzel
Three generations of love go into LOV Farms. The family has made the trip from Santa Maria to the Davis Farmers Market since 1999 to share their popular berries, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and more.
Omar Guerara, 34, runs the farm with his older brother Luis, 49, and their mother Virginia Cortez. Their first names are the initials LOV. The farm rebranded from Rancho La Familia when the third generation took over.
Virginia’s parents started farming in Santa Barbara County at least five decades ago. In the late 1990s, she purchased her first 10 acres. Today, the farm has 50 acres, with three of them used for housing. In 2015, Omar purchased 10 of the farm’s acres.
These days, Virginia is semi-retired. She doesn’t go to the farmers markets much, opting to handle things in the background. Luis does more hands-on farming, and Omar manages the paperwork, farmers markets and wholesale sales. The men manage a crew of about 15 employees.
LOV goes to 11 farmers markets across the state. That’s down from 21 at its peak, when Virginia was in charge. Omar said he cut out a few of the markets that weren’t as profitable.
But the Davis Farmers Market is one of the best, he said. “We built a great community there over the years. They know my mom and dad (Jose Luis Guerara) very well. They are truly grateful for what we’ve done. Some people have been supporting us from the start.”
To make the trek to Davis’ Saturday market, Omar and a farm employee leave Santa Maria at 9 p.m. each Friday. He and the staff member take turns sleeping and driving the five- or six-hour trip. They deliver to the Spork Food Hub in Davis at 2:30 a.m., then set up in Central Park around 3 a.m. on Saturday. The market opens at 8. After closing at 1 p.m., traffic makes the drive home even longer.
Omar said he’s developed a special relationship with his customers, and is always honest with them. Though they take pride in their strawberries and other berries being “the sweetest,” the taste can sometimes fluctuate. “I make sure customers know that if we had some rain, they’re not as sweet and won’t last as long. They appreciate the honesty.”
The farm has separate picking crews for farmers markets and wholesale, and “one person, just for strawberries.” It ensures they deliver the best quality produce.
With luck, LOV Farms will be around for generations to come. “We’re grateful to continue to be doing the business we are doing. Running a farm in California is one of the most difficult challenges you can have but, through perseverance, we can continue. … We hope to continue for many years.”
LOV Farms
Find them at the Davis Farmers Market every Saturday, rain or shine.
Products: apples, apricots, beets, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, chard, cherries, cilantro, dried beans, fennel, figs, green beans, kale, lemons, lettuce, onions, peas and sugar snap peas, persimmons, plums, raspberries, squash and strawberries
Farm location: Santa Maria
Website: https://app.barn2door.com/9YRo3/all
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LOVFarmsLLC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovfarmsllc/
Davis Farmers Market
Central Park, Fourth and C streets, Davis
Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round
Wednesdays: 4 to 8 p.m. May through September for Picnic in the Park; 3 to 6 p.m. October through April
