Meet the Farmer
Doyse Farm
Emilio Ontontiopa
Established In 2017
Location Salinas, CA
Acreage 18
What they sell Strawberries
When they began working with KTA 2021
Advising Focus Land security; capital access
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Emilio Ontontiopa always wanted to start his own business, but couldn't quite decide where to focus. In 2002, he arrived in the United States from Hidalgo, Mexico and began a new chapter working in agriculture. In Mexico, Emilio grew produce, like corn, for his own table, but didn't see agriculture as a major focus for his business goals. That changed once he began working at artichoke farms, spending the next few years in the farming industry. His next big step was suddenly clear: he could merge his passion for agriculture with his desire to be his own boss.
After a cousin told him about the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), Emilio knew this was his path towards his dream. He enrolled in a course at ALBA that covered the basics of farm life and organic practices, and started Doyse Farm on ALBA land.
The father of four kids, Emilio graduated from ALBA and is now leasing 18 acres of land in Watsonville, using the opportunity to teach his kids how to care for the land. He focuses primarily on growing organic strawberries, though he hopes to plant more vegetables in the near future. Emilio uses sustainable farming methods, such as crop rotation and drip tape for water conservation. Additionally, he has begun researching organic fertilizers.
For Emilio, running Doyse Farm is about being open to learning and growing, often through creative problem-solving, trial and error, and patience and determination in the face of hardships. Ultimately, it’s Emilio’s love for plants and the soil that keeps him going. Seeing his crops thrive is the best part of his job.
Where to Find
No direct to consumer options available at this time; Doyse Farm sells exclusively through wholesale channels.
Advising Snapshot: 2024
Emilio began working with Senior Farm Business Advisor Favio Ortiz in 2021. A primary focus for Favio and Emilio has been capital access; with guidance from Favio, Emilio has applied to numerous grants and loans to increase cash flows. He is also currently looking for more land to expand his operations, which he is hoping to do through KTA’s Ecosystem Building project, Rancho Corralitos. Rancho Corralitos is a collaboration between KTA, The People’s Land Fund, Manzanita Capital Collective, Dirt Capital, and The Cultiva to create a new land ownership model enabling multiple Latino/a/x immigrant farmers to purchase land at a reduced cost. With Favio’s help, Emilio is preparing his business to participate in this land access opportunity.
In addition, Favio has helped Emilio organize his farm’s finances, creating financial projections for the farm’s next few seasons and setting up bookkeeping systems. Emilio frequently interacts with colleagues in the industry, exchanging information and support within his community. Despite the challenges that come his way, Emilio stays motivated to learn the most he can. He tells his colleagues that even during slow seasons, or seasons with low profits, the important part is the knowledge they are gaining for the future. In this way, Emilio is cultivating a broader support system that extends beyond Doyse Farm, building a community of mutual encouragement and knowledge-sharing amongst his fellow farmers.
