Social Justice on the Farm

Jim Cochran, president and co-owner of Swanton Berry Farms since 1983, isn’t your average farmer. Sure, he’s subject to the whims of weather and other natural forces, but his commitment to chemical free farming and social justice set him apart.

In addition to battling against the use of harmful chemicals in the industry, Cochran provides some forty employees with full-time, year round work, benefits and stock ownership in the farm. Farming and field work is usually seasonal, and benefits are rarely part of the package.

“Each year, over the last six years, I’ve given about two percent of the stock of the company to employees as part of a profit sharing plan, so they now own about twelve percent of the business,” said Cochran. “Our costs are much higher than other farmers’ costs because we pay health, dental, sick leave, vacation and holiday pay for all of our full-time workers. Our labor costs are 20 percent higher than anyone else, so it’s difficult to make a profit.”

While operating costs are higher, Cochran said he wouldn’t do business if he couldn’t provide his employees with benefits.

“I want to prove a point that it can be done. There’s no point of being in business if employees aren’t making a decent amount of money, don’t have benefits or job security,” said Cochran. “What’s the point?”

It’s a difficult point to prove in a market where competitors costs are lower, their profit margins are higher and consumers know little or nothing about the hands that touched their food before it arrived neatly stacked in plastic containers at the grocery store.

Laura Rodriguez, 38, is raising her two daughters and an eight month old grandchild working at Swanton. An employee for the past seven years, Rodriguez said, “working in the kitchen is my favorite. I like baking and making jam.”

Rodriguez is appreciative of the farm’s unique benefits structure. She said, “Jim is number one.”

Sage Farrell, 19, works for Swanton in the summer while she takes a break from the books. She is studying environmental science at U.C. Berkeley. She enjoys working at the U-Pick sites.

"Working at the farm has been a hands-on educational experience," said Farrell. It has been invigorating to work here. I’m excited to be back this year. I think it’s really incredible. It’s a great work environment. Everyone in the field is grateful for the benefits, environment and chemical free environment.”

Swanton Berry Farm’s two hundred acres of strawberries, blackberries, olallieberries, artichokes, and other vegetables are 100 percent organic.

Twelve miles north of Santa Cruz, on Highway 1, the public can commune in farm living for a day by picking berries from one of two U-Pick sites. The season generally lasts from April through November, depending on rainfall. Also, the charming Swanton Berry Farm Stand sells amazing home baked cobblers, jams, and confections—all made by the staff.

Every year, thousands of people visit the farm for tours and berry picking.

“It’s like a little United Nations,” said Cochran. “There are so many different ethnic groups that are interested. We get people speaking every language and coming from all over the Bay Area. It’s a cheap outing for people and perfect for a family or group of friends. It’s totally wholesome.”