Harvest Time?

I don't recall exactly when I first met Larry Tristano of Triple T Ranch and Farm but he attended the downtown Santa Rosa market on weeknights at least 8 years ago. His stall was located away from the other farmers so it got my attention as I'm always on the lookout for great produce.

Shortly thereafter, Larry showed up at the Santa Rosa Saturday farmer's market that I attend much of the year. As I do with most of the farmers, we started talking. Usually it's about the produce they are selling, yet Larry, his son Vince and son-in-law, also Larry, shared more.

I learned that they were hunters. Larry, the elder, told me that he harvests elk and other animals. He feels that if the population were not kept under control there would be problems. We've had many discussions about hunting since then.

Do I care that Larry is a hunter? Morally, I do. Yet, Larry is extremely generous, donating his beautiful, organically grown produce and eggs for events and photo shoots. His salad mix, peppers, squash, greens and other vegetables are grown right here in Santa Rosa. Larry's heart seems to be in the right place despite his gun practices. (A friend told me that Larry cheerfully delivered fresh produce to her without a delivery charge when she was homebound and unable to get to the farmer's market. Imagine a farmer making house calls!) Larry and I may never see eye to eye about hunting but I'm on the hunt for great produce and it speaks for itself.

Besides, Larry always winks and invites me to feel his face when he's clean-shaven. Occasionally he gives me a hug. That's the true difference between shopping at the supermarket and the farmer's market. I hope that you'll get to meet farmers like Larry, perhaps without the guns.