Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Spotlight on Pixca Farm – Day of the Dead: Culture, Community and Marigolds

Erik Rodriguez, farmer with Pixca Farm, holds marigolds.

In recognition of the cultural tradition of Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), November 1 and 2, Pixca Farm is proud of celebrating through its sustainable agricultural practices.

Erik Rodriguez’s journey into farming began in Rosarito, where he grew up at his family’s bookstore on the main boulevard. His mother, however, wanted him to experience life away from town, and so he would spend his days at his godfather’s ranch, helping harvest cilantro, radishes, and calabazas (pumpkins). Working on the land sparked a love for farming in Erik that would one day lead him to co-manage Pixca Farm in the Tijuana River Valley of San Diego County.

Years later, Erik was furloughed from his job at the YMCA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gardening had always been a passion, and while volunteering at Pixca Farm, he found himself at a crossroads—try to return to his job or take a leap into full-time farming. Erik chose farming and reconnected with Leonard Vargas, a founding member of Pixca with more than 30 years of agricultural experience. Together, they focused on Pixca Farm, which has since become a source of fresh, pesticide-free vegetables, flowers, and herbs for the San Diego community.

Growing Marigolds and a Community Connection

One of the farm’s key crops is marigolds, or cempasúchil, known for their vibrant orange color and cultural significance, especially during the Day of the Dead celebration. Erik and his team prepare around 500 bunches of marigolds, handpicked and bound into bunches of nine to ten stems. While the flowers are in high demand, especially around this time, Pixca Farm grows the marigolds without pesticides, which Erik shares with his customers.

Pixca Farm contributes to California’s dominance in marigold production. According to the most recent data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2019, California led the nation in marigold production with $10.5 million in wholesale and retail sales.

“The marigolds serve more than just a decorative purpose; they play a significant role in natural pest management on the farm,” said Erik. By rotating flowers, including marigolds and sunflowers, through each plot, Erik minimizes pest issues and maximizes soil health. “We try to win with numbers and know that pests are going to happen. We do a rotation with marigolds through every section of the farm within one to two years, including sunflowers,” explained Erik. Pixca Farm has marigolds growing all season long and he throws them into mixed bouquets.

Operating on just half an acre, Pixca Farm produces a diverse range of vegetables like carrots, beets, radishes, cilantro, zucchini, and even tomatoes in bumper crop quantities. They sell these at a farm stand, which has become popular.

Pixca Farm’s mission, symbolized by its name—a take on the Spanish word for “pick”—is not only to provide healthy food but also to foster a deeper connection with the land. Erik’s call to action for consumers is: “Support local agriculture, support small businesses.” He emphasizes that with San Diego having the largest number of farms in California, it’s essential to support smaller, family-operated farms in California.

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