Maria Gonzalez and Rudy Jimenez

Maria Gonzalez and Rudy Jimenez, partners and owners-operators of Green Thumb Farms, grew up on California’s Central Coast, where their childhoods nurtured a love of food and dedication to communities that grow and prepare food. They work with other local organizations that align with their mission and vision. 

Gonzalez and Jimenez grow sustainable produce and support a multi-faceted network of community care, education and intergenerational resilience that strengthens our food system. In addition to selling their produce, they create and sell plant-based items through their business, Cultiva. They leverage their lived experiences as farmers, entrepreneurs and educators to organize shared resources and inspire the next generation of food systems leaders.

Recently they have come together with four other farm owners to start a cooperative,  “Community Farmers.” This  producer-led food hub is designed to build collective market power. By formalizing mentorship and networks, they are able to aggregate their produce to reach more buyers, share administrative burdens, and build the capacity and financial stability of small producers. Market access, particularly in the Central Coast, is difficult for small-scale farmers who must compete with large-farm businesses that can easily fulfill orders. The Community Farmers hub honors the experiences of people growing food and supports other elements of their farm businesses so small farmers can compete. 

Jimenez first experienced agriculture through the eyes of his father, who migrated to the US at age 15 to work in conventional agricultural fields. His father’s and grandfather’s  commitment to work with the land and carry generational wealth earned his respect and inspires his work. Jimenez’ early experiences with agriculture helped him recognize inequities including who could access fresh, organic produce. These experiences also led him to start his own farm, a collaboration with Gonzalez — a like-minded chef using cooking to foster health and justice. 

At every point of growth for Green Thumb Farms, Gonzalez and Jimenez invested in their communities and found collaborative and creative ways to address the challenges that small, diverse farmers face in economically challenging places like the Central Coast. Their approaches embrace the power of community and make progress toward building equitable systems.