From a Single Coastal Plot to a Multi-County Organic Powerhouse
When Larry Jacobs began his farming career in 1980, he started small—one farm in the quiet coastal hamlet of Pescadero, just two and a half miles from the Pacific Ocean. Today, Jacobs Farms/Del Cabo spans six locations across San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties, totaling roughly 400 acres of certified organic ground. What began as a single plot has grown into one of California’s most respected organic operations—so much so that Jacobs is now a candidate for Organic Grower of the Year at the Organic Grower Summit.
“We’re honored to be nominated,” Jacobs says. “It’s quite a distinction.”
Organic Before “Organic” Had a Name
Jacobs’ path to organic farming started long before organic certification existed. As an 18-year-old running a wholesale tree nursery, he experienced firsthand the dangers of conventional chemical use. After an inspector recommended Metasystox X to treat aphids, Jacobs applied it—only to become violently ill and even pass out.
“I wasn’t using it properly. I didn’t know any better,” he recalls. “At that time, I had to figure out how to do it without chemicals. I’ve been doing it ever since. That was 1968.”
That moment became the foundation of what would ultimately become Jacobs Farms/Del Cabo’s lifelong commitment to organic production.
Diverse Crops, Diverse Regions
Today, Jacobs Farms grows a wide range of crops across multiple climates. In Baja, they focus on warm-season off-season farming with small-scale community growers. In California, they specialize in:
- Fresh culinary herbs
- Tomatoes
- Specialty peppers
- Pumpkins
- Winter squash
“We’re doing lots of different crops in lots of different places,” Jacobs explains.
Why California’s Climate Still Leads the Way
Jacobs points out that the Central Coast and Central Valley remain agricultural goldmines.
“There’s a reason the Salinas–Watsonville area is the salad bowl of the country,” he says. “Incredible climate, incredible soils. The Central Valley is an amazing place to grow food.”
But he’s quick to add that the work isn’t easy.
The Increasing Challenge of Farming in California
Farming has always been tough, but Jacobs says California presents some unique hurdles—especially around labor.
“California has an unusually challenging labor environment with laws that go a bit overboard,” he explains. “What we really need to be spending our time on is growing food. That’s hard enough without the extra challenges.”
Even so, he remains deeply committed to responsible stewardship.
Farmers: The Original Environmentalists
Jacobs believes farmers are among the most committed environmental stewards on the planet.
“The best environmentalists are farmers,” he says. “We’re the ones walking the ground every day—concerned about erosion, soil health, and the environment because we’re living in it and working in it.”
Investing in Soil Health Through Cover Crops
Right now, Jacobs Farms is deep into cover crop season. In hoop houses, towering sorghum and crotalaria reach seven to eight feet tall, bursting with yellow flowers. Outside, mixes of oats, vetch, mustard, and bell beans are flourishing.
“This is fertilizer that we grow,” Jacobs says. “No outside inputs. We just buy the seed.”
Improving organic matter is central to their farming model—closing loops and restoring soil function organically.
Leading the Way in Sustainable Packaging
Jacobs Farms has also been a pioneer in sustainable packaging. While much of their recyclable plastic packaging uses recycled components, Jacobs says the next frontier is eliminating plastic entirely.
“We’re all thinking about how to get away from plastics 100%,” he explains.
They’ve already transitioned from plastic mulch to biodegradable alternatives and enhanced cultivation practices that eliminate the need for mulches altogether in some fields.
Embracing the Future: Robotics, AI, and Smart Tools
Technology is rapidly reshaping agriculture, and Jacobs is all in.
Tools already in use or being explored include:
- Autonomous and semi-autonomous field units
- Laser and electric weeders
- Verdant smart sprayers with micro-dosing capability
- Amigo robots
- Treffler precision cultivators
- Vision-based plant detection systems
These tools promise to streamline labor, reduce inputs, and bring precision to weed and harvest management.
“The exciting thing is the combination of digital technology and growing plants,” Jacobs says. “Our staff will be using their cell phones to manage these tools.”
The goal? Reduce back-breaking labor, increase crop quality, and keep food prices reasonable for consumers.
“This is a win-win for everybody as this technology develops.”
ROI: The Real Barrier to Adoption
Jacobs is realistic about automation. Farmers will adopt new tools—if they make financial sense.
“If it costs a million dollars and it takes 10 years to pay for it, it ain’t going to work,” he says.
But he believes early wins are already happening. Staff are using semi-autonomous tools to work more efficiently, reduce labor needs, and increase wages.
Are California Regulators Ready for Innovation?
Jacobs says growers are eager for new technology—but state regulations remain a problem.
California still has a law prohibiting autonomous tractors operating in fields without a person nearby, even while the state greenlights driverless taxis in cities.
“That law needs to be changed,” Jacobs says. “That should be an easy one to fix.”
California’s Regulatory Hurdles and the Push for Innovation
As Jacobs explained, one of the most counterproductive challenges facing California agriculture lies in outdated regulations that prevent autonomous equipment from operating independently in fields. While driverless taxis and cars roam the streets of San Francisco, a robotic tractor still legally requires a human standing nearby. For Jacobs, fixing this is a “common sense no-brainer.” The goal is not to replace workers, he emphasized, but rather to remove the most grueling, unwanted tasks and create better-quality jobs that pay more.
These innovations are critical for the future of organic farming. With labor costs rising and physical fieldwork taking a toll on the workforce, Jacobs believes technology will improve efficiency, enhance worker wellbeing, and maintain California’s competitiveness in agriculture.
Preparing for the Organic Grower Summit
Jacobs Farms Del Cabo is one of the nominees for Organic Grower of the Year, an honor that will be announced at the Organic Grower Summit on December 3–4 in Monterey, California. When asked if he was preparing a speech, Jacobs laughed and admitted he’d improvise on the spot if selected.
The recognition, he said, is an honor but also a testament to the effort all organic farmers put into producing safe, flavorful, environmentally responsible food. He praised the other nominees as outstanding growers, noting that each of them deserves the award.
Educating Consumers and Grocery Buyers
Jacobs used the opportunity to address one of his ongoing concerns: consumer perception. Organic food grown in California comes with higher production costs—not because growers are inefficient, but because regulations, labor expenses, water challenges, and environmental commitments require significant investment.
“Growing this stuff ain’t easy,” Jacobs stressed. Farmers put boots on the ground every day, adapting constantly to weather, pests, soil conditions, and market demands. He called on retailers to maintain flexibility and support growers who consistently deliver safe, high-quality food without shortcuts.
Year-Round Production and Crop Diversity
Jacobs Farms operates year-round, producing more than 30 different varieties of crops. In Baja, the team focuses on warm-season vegetables, while in California they grow fresh culinary herbs, tomatoes, pumpkins, and other specialty crops. Demand for herbs explodes during the holidays, and Jacobs said truckloads of herb mixes—poultry blends, turkey mixes, and stuffing herbs—ship across the country as families prepare Thanksgiving meals.
California Agriculture: The Blessing and the Burden
While California offers unmatched climate and soils, it’s also burdened with some of the most complex regulations and resource challenges in the nation. Jacobs agreed that the state needs more housing but pushed for thoughtful planning that protects prime farmland. He shared a compelling story about the loss of the Santa Clara Valley—once known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight, home to the world’s finest stone fruits.
Today, that fertile land is covered by Silicon Valley. What was once an agricultural paradise has been paved over, and most residents don’t realize the area produced world-class stone fruit for generations. Jacobs used this example to illustrate how quickly productive farmland can vanish when development outpaces agricultural protection.
Water, Housing, and the Future of Farmland
Jacobs echoed concerns about regions like Fresno County’s west side, where ideal soils for almonds now struggle with water shortages. Despite having the water resources necessary, he argued, political and management decisions have created a man-made shortage. California must address these structural issues if it wants agriculture to remain viable.
Even with these challenges, Jacobs remains optimistic. He believes state leaders are beginning to recognize the burdens placed on farmers and may start simplifying regulations to support those who manage land responsibly.
A Call for Farmer Voices in Policy
Host Nick suggested that farmers like Jacobs should play a more active role in political decision-making, given their hands-on experience. Jacobs laughed that he wouldn’t have time to farm if he joined political boards, but he pointed out a telling truth: “We’ve got more lawyers in this state than we have farmers.” That imbalance, he implied, speaks volumes about the need to better support agricultural producers.
Understanding California’s Agricultural Legacy
Jacobs offered a brief historical tour of California’s agricultural evolution—from Native American acorn harvests, to Spanish cattle ranches, to European wheat fields, and finally to the high-value orchards and crops that once covered Silicon Valley. All of it vanished within his lifetime, replaced by urban development. His message was clear: when farmland disappears, it does not come back.
Where to Find Jacobs Farm Products
Consumers can explore Jacobs Farms products at jacobsfarm.com or delcabo.com, and they can find the company’s herbs and vegetables in supermarkets throughout the West and in many locations nationwide. During Thanksgiving season, Jacobs Farms supplies the fresh herb blends used to season turkeys, stuffing, and side dishes across the country.
The Continued Growth of Organic Agriculture
Looking ahead, Jacobs believes organic demand will keep rising as consumers become more aware of pesticide residues and more farmers learn how to grow organically. The price gap between organic and conventional has narrowed, but Jacobs emphasized that organic farming is not about charging more—it is about prioritizing health, soil stewardship, and safe food for both consumers and farmworkers.
A Farmer’s Passion and Dedication
As the interview wrapped up, Jacobs prepared to return to his cover crops, joking that he had to catch up with his wife Sandy at the other end of the hoop houses. Before signing off, he even offered to send photos of the fields in full bloom, expressing pride in the beauty and purpose behind his farming work.
Nick closed by promising to visit Jacobs Farms in Santa Cruz and cheering Jacobs on for the upcoming Organic Grower Summit.