Crops

The agricultural cropland philosophy of Swanton Pacific Ranch is to provide a diversity of crops and marketing opportunities for student ‘learn by doing’ involvement with the long-term goal of break-even or better on returns. Diversity of products and farming organically are seen as both sound business practice locally and reflective of contemporary sustainable development thinking and will be pursued to the extent possible.

Swanton Pacific has met the organic certification requirements of the CCOF to improve the marketability of its produce to the public and to reflect the overall management directions of the Ranch.

Five fields have been leased to Jacob’s Farm/Del Cabo Inc. which predominately grow perennial culinary herbs.

Apple picking season is here and our certified organic orchard provides for a fun family outing. Yielding five tons of apples per year, our 2-acre orchard offers multiple varieties of apples. Although varietals are limited to what's on hand, the 12 different varieties ripen in stages throughout the fall months which allows for an extended picking window. The apple orchard is certified and inspected annually by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). In addition to U-Pick harvesting, students and interns hand-pick apples throughout the season for local wholesale.

The Swanton Organic Apple Orchard is open to the public, Cal Poly alumni, and schools groups. To find the orchard from Santa Cruz take Highway 1 North and make a right onto Swanton Road just past the town of Davenport. Follow the road 4.6 miles to the apple orchard at 480 Swanton Road, which will be on your left. U-Pick hours are 9am to 5pm Thursday - Monday starting Aug 14th. See map below.