Meet the Farmer
Reyes Farm
Manuel Reyes
Established In 2009
Location Windsor, CA
Acreage 6.8
What they sell Mixed vegetables, strawberries, eggs
When they began working with KTA 2024
Advising Focus Market diversification; business and financial planning
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Before starting Reyes Farm, Manuel Reyes worked with food in a different capacity: first in the restaurant industry and then as a private chef, spending many years in the industry transforming fresh ingredients into elaborate dishes. Growing up in Michoacan, Mexico, Manuel was exposed to farming at a young age and dreamed of working outdoors and more closely with the land. Thus, in 2009, he started his agricultural journey on land in Healdsburg where he grew strawberries, dahlias, and eggs.
By 2013, he relocated his farm to Windsor, in Sonoma County, where he initially leased and eventually purchased 6.8 acres of land. Manuel transitioned to full-time farming in 2022; now, his farm produces approximately 30 different crops, including eggs, tomatoes, and strawberries. Manuel prioritizes the health of his land and produce by using sustainable production practices such as crop rotation and organic soil amendments. Manuel sells his produce and eggs at local farmers markets across Sonoma County, connecting with the community he nourishes with each sale he makes.
Where to Find
Windsor Farmers Market (Sundays 9:30am -12:30pm)
Cloverdale Farmers Market (Tuesdays 3-6pm)
Healdsburg Farmers Market (Tuesdays 9:00am - 12:30pm and Saturdays 8:30am - 12:30pm)
Advising Snapshot: 2024
Manuel began working with Kitchen Table Advisors in January 2024. With support from Senior Farm Business Advisor Lily Schneider, Manuel is currently focusing on obtaining his organic certification for Reyes Farm, a large project and a big step forward for his operation. Receiving his organic certification will not only help Manuel build deeper trust and brand recognition with customers at farmers markets but will also help him as he plans to diversify his market channels. Manuel is also aiming to add restaurant and wholesale buyers to his current roster of customers.
Manuel has additionally explored setting up a CSA subscription program; with Lily’s insights, he is considering factors such as getting customers signed up, establishing prices, and organizing a pick-up process. In the near future, once he has completed his organic certification, Manuel will work with Lily to build a solid budget for the farm and think about the future of the business from a financial standpoint. One dream of Manuel’s is to move his family to the farm to better integrate farm and family life – they currently live in Windsor, but do not have a home at the farm. Aligned with this, Manuel is driven to create a financial plan for him and his family to prepare for retirement.
