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BLUEBERRIES IN CAYUCOS?

Could we be so lucky to be able to enjoy fresh blueberries in Cayucos? Thanks to some very clever and diligent blueberry plant breeders and farmers who are willing to take a risk on a new crop, we are now able to savor those beautiful blueberries in Cayucos. In 1999, Chuck and Jennifer Lenet introduced our Central Coast to fresh organic blueberries grown on their organic farm and sold in local farmers markets and stores. Most Californians were not familiar with delicious fresh blueberries. After much cajoling and sampling Californians were hooked on the sumptuous taste and health benefits of fresh organic blueberries.

Where did this all begin? As a college student in the early 70's Chuck traveled the California coast between Humboldt University and his summer lifeguard job in Southern California. Driving along Hwy 46 West to Hwy 1, he admired the serene beauty of the central coast, often stopping at the summit turn-out overlooking the Estero Bay, Morro Rock and rolling velvet green hills and valleys. He vowed to someday return to live in one of those coastal canyons radiating towards the sea.

Chuck graduated from Humboldt State University and began a successful career as a real estate broker. Jennifer, after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, met Chuck in 1978 when she moved to Humboldt county to manage a 40 acre lily farm. Shortly thereafter they moved to Morro Bay where they were married and started Morro Creek Nursery and Landscape Company. Chuck became a Captain on the Morro Bay Reserve Fire Department and was active for 15 years. Their landscape company grew and became very successful. In 1992, their daughter, Whitney, was born.

Seeking more room to grow, they came upon an 80 acre parcel of land bordered by creeks with rolling hills, fertile valleys and even a view of Morro Rock. They fell in love again and in 1994 they were landowners. They developed their property from the ground up installing all the infrastructures themselves, designing and building their house and a barn the following year. Fuji apples were planted before the home was built with avocados and blueberries soon after. A plethora of crops soon followed including a berry rainbow of golden, red, and black raspberries, blackberries, and boysenberries, as well as the more unusual chestnuts, Persian mulberries, lychee, banana, mango, and macadamia nut trees. Mark Gaskell, farm advisor for the Santa Maria office of Cooperative Extension, was instrumental in providing the Lenets with new and promising crops of the future, including blueberries, to experiment with on their farm. They have even tried to grow coffee but a hard frost froze the new plants. Mark and other farm advisors have been invaluable in helping the Lenets with their organic farm.

	Blueberries have their share of challenges. They are not an easy crop to grow. They require acid soil and acid water and prefer high humidity to thrive. California is known for its alkaline soil and water and lack of humidity, except for the fog along the coast. The entire area of blueberries must be netted or hungry migrating birds would soon demolish the tasty berries.

The soil must also be constantly monitored for pH as blueberries are very sensitive to either too high a pH or too low a pH. On a small scale farm,- such as the Lenets organic farm, all of the fruit is picked one berry at a time and all of the weeding is done by hand. No Round-up used here. Blueberry season along the coast can be as early as January or as late as November, especially at 7th Heaven Organics where they are currently testing up to 30 different varieties of blueberries. In the beginning the Lenets were misinformed as to which variety to plant and subsequently lost over half of their field to unidentifiable causes twice! Their fields have mostly been replanted with newer varieties to hopefully prevent this tragedy from happening again. Blueberries also prefer a well-drained soil that also needs constant watering in the heat of the summer.

Farms often need an influx of outside resources to keep the farm going during turbulent years. Along with their organic farm, Chuck and Jennifer are both active with their real estate company, Pinnacle Realty. Jennifer continues her passion for landscape design, floral design, and wedding coordinating or special event services. They are proud of their daughter, Whitney, who recently graduated Salutatorian from Cayucos Middle School and now attends Morro Bay High School where she also is involved in Cross Country and Soccer. Whitney also has helped her parents throughout the years with farmers markets.

Organic farmers are always striving to maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem on their farms and the surrounding areas. They accomplish this by maintaining native plantings, both on their farm and along the two creeks that border their farm, to encourage natural predators (beneficial insects, migrating swallows and other native birds, owls, bats, etc.), choosing hand weeding or mulching instead of herbicides and using only biodegradable organic fertilizers. Being an organic farmer is a commitment to protect and help flourish our little slice of heaven, 7th Heaven Organics, and to provide you and your family with a bounty of healthy and delicious produce. Enjoy!

We know the importance of researching and testing raw land to prevent any pitfalls during the developmental stages. We purchased our land 12 years ago and personally designed and built our house and barn, including all utilities and plantings. We have over 25 years of experience in agriculture. We also have purchased residences in town, managed rentals, and counseled and sold properties for other individuals. Also, being business owners ourselves for almost 30 years, we understand the needs and challenges of business sales or purchases.

We would love to help you save money on the home of your dreams, relocation your business, acquisition of agricultural property, or refinancing your home on the Central Coast of California. We specialize in raw land of any size, and as experienced organic farmers we have a unique understanding of the challenges of rural development, whether agricultural or residential.

We welcome any challenge, small or big. Please call or email us at your convenience. We promise you a prompt response and a quick follow-up with complete and accurate information.