This week’s tomatoes and red onions are hand-planted and hand-picked, all by Mike Motroni of Motroni Ranch. Coming from a 30-year career in welding, Mike may seem like an unlikely candidate for vegetable farming, but he feels he is right where he belongs. In 1938 Mike’s grandfather began Motroni Ranch — an almond, fig and walnut farm in nearby Esparto. Mike grew up on the farm and has now returned, initially to help his mother, and now to raise vegetables.

Mike began raising onions, a tradition lasting as long as 60 years in his family. His great-grandfather’s family grew red onions and saved seed year after year, crossing varieties and selecting seed only from the best onions. The onions he raises today are from that original seed, a sweet Italian red onion that is round and flat. Two years ago, Mike expanded his vegetable operation and now grows about 4 acres of tomatoes, onions and garlic.

Mike markets his produce locally in Woodland, Sacramento, and Vacaville, as well as from his farm stand at the Motroni Ranch on County Road 22 just west of Esparto. He enjoys help from his wife and mother who help out with sales, fieldwork and customer service.

Mid-July is the peak of the season and Mike is extremely busy watering, weeding, harvesting, packing, and selling — and enjoying his life as a farmer.

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