The Green Fork is the official blog of the Eat Well Guide. Click here to Find Good Food.

This post was written by San Diego-based Joyce Chai, who joined the Eat Well Guide Field Team this past September as an extern. She is currently a junior at the University of California, San Diego where she studies Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution.

Though I have met quite a few farmers and even visited a few of their farms, my grade school perception of red barns, plaid shirts, and haystacks stubbornly occupies the spot in my mind labeled “farm.” Having paid a visit to Barry Koral’s Tropical Fruit Farm in Vista, CA this past month, I can wholeheartedly attest to my faulty perception.

I arrived a little early for my interview with Barry, but waiting aimlessly for his arrival was simply not an option. His front yard was a visual playground, boasting an impressive collection of vintage knicknacks. It was obvious that the objects had not been haphazardly placed, as each piece contributed to the overall harmonious arrangement. No haystacks or overalls here, this place was arranged by an artist’s hands. Barry soon rolled into the driveway, sun-kissed and smiling and greeting me with a wave. As we got to chatting, he revealed himself to be much more than a farmer.

Originally a city boy from Chicago, Barry moved to California with a formal background in art and photography. It was his experiences in California which truly shaped his philosophy for sustainable living. He lived in San Francisco for three years, where he was first exposed to farming and sustainable agriculture. Lured by its enviable growing climate, Barry soon moved down to San Diego and saved up for a farm of his own. And that he did, and then some.

Barry currently leases five properties, including his personal orchard of 175 trees behind his home. He primarily grows and sells tree fruit, claiming that “money does grow on trees!” I visited his home orchard, a place he has deemed a “living museum.” Sprinkled among the persimmon and guava trees, Barry’s artistic accents complemented the beauty of the orchard. His art pieces were not only visually appealing, but functional as well. Rocks circled the bases of his trees, bringing nutrients to the soil and an added aesthetic to his “museum.” Old CDs and metal rings hung from strings on several trees, flashing beneath the sun as they swiveled in the wind. A trick to keep the birds away, he explained.

As if tending to his farms and creating art is not enough already, Barry is also a public speaker. He stressed the importance of giving back, learning and educating. He has the kind of energy that can fill up any room, but what struck me most was how he has been able to continually focus that energy to positively impact himself and others.

When asked what struggles he faces as a farmer, he answered: “The main struggle is educating the public to support it [farming]. Being a farmer is the most important yet least appreciated occupation. Could you imagine a world without farmers?”

I sure couldn’t. Here’s some tips from Barry himself on what you can do:

• Support farmer’s markets Connect with your community and know where your food comes from.

• Buy local Shop at your local co-operatives.

• Be in the spirit of organic, not necessarily labeled as such With its growing popularity, some organic foods are no longer produced sustainably (ie. organic monocropping). Don’t be quick to associate organic labels with sustainability.
• Be a conscious consumer.

The way you choose to eat your food is a powerful way to respond to the environment. It all starts with the fork!

barry koral, barry koral’s tropical fruit farm, local food, california grown fruit, vista, organic fruit, local food, organic food, organic farming, sustainable food, sustainable farming