« Van Dyke Ranch - California »

The Van Dyke family of Gilroy, California loves farming - it’s in their blood! The family has been farming for many generations, with the current generation taking over the farm from Grandpa Nick in 1975. At that time they began to transition the farm from conventional to organic farming. Van Dyke Ranch consists of 80+ acres of organic Blenheim apricots, 35 acres of organic cherries and another 15-20 acres of assorted vegetables, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers and persimmons.

Pete Van Dyke is the head of the farming operation. He looks to expand the ranch and offer more varieties of fruit in the future. They He and his sons have planted earlier and later varieties of popular apricots and cherries so their harvest season can be extended.

The Van Dykes are very proud of their sweet, large organic Bing cherries, 9-12 row, and their packing line. Come harvest time you’ll find the family putting in long days on the farm. After they get done picking and packing cherries they move on to the Blenheim apricots. Their farm has great southern exposure which increases the sweetness and flavor of their fruit. The Blenheim apricot is one of the best tasting apricot varieties, very sweet with true apricot flavor.

Pete's children have grown up on the farm and are part of the family farming effort along with their cousin Michaela and several grandchildren. Like most grandfathers, Pete is very proud of his grandchildren and enjoys taking them on family outings where they get a chance to “hang out” together. When he's not growing great organic fruit, Pete surfs, snowboards, skis and plays weekly gigs in a country rock band called Tsunami.  

Learn more about the Van Dyke family and their organic orchard at www.vandykeorganics.com.