Mello-dy Ranch

Al and Virginia Conde and Darlene and Michael Mora
460 Travers Lane
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-724-9266
831-761-2130
Dlou44@aol.com

Markets: Aptos and Monterey

Products: Apricots, Fuyu persimmons, lemons, cucumbers, pears, popcorn, herbs, squash, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, winter squash; chestnuts; flowers; bay wreaths and eucalyptus wreaths.

History/Philosophy: Mello-dy Ranch was started in 1867 by immigrants from Portugal. They raised their large family (thirteen!) in a small farmhouse which still stands on the original homestead. Additional acreage was purchased I the following years. Apples, grapes and apricots were first planted on the steep hillsides. By the mid-1900's, only Dave and Anglelina Mello (Travers) were farmig the land, along with their son and daughther (Virginia). Virginia later married Al and together they continued the farming tradition. Currently there are three generations of farmers living on the ranch. Mello-dy Ranch is a 5-generation family ranch. We plan on continuing to farm this beautiful land and produce fresh and delicious apples, berries and numerous fruits and vegetables for our customers.

Farmland: 50 - 60 acres in the foothills in Watsonville.

Weed Control: Hand and mechanical cultivation, cover-crop rotation to eliminate weeds.

Pest Management: Pheromone traps in the apples, copper and sulfur sprays in apples. Row crops are not sprayed.

Water Use: Drip tape is used on all the berries and row crops, sprinklers are used on the apples.

Workers: 3 - 4 full time, year-round. 15 - 20 part-time for apple and berry seasons.