Tom Leyde 9:07 p.m. PT May 15, 2017

Fresh flowers are among the crops JSM Organics grows in north Monterey County. Zamora picks a fresh bouquet at one of his farms.(Photo: Tom Leyde/For The Salinas Californian)Buy Photo

Javier Zamora looks proudly at a rolling field full of flowers, fruits and vegetables.

I like being out here, he said. It calms you down.

On a walk to the top of the hill, he points out certified organic heirloom tomatoes, beets, parsley, cilantro, sugar peas, squash, strawberries and lavender. His organic growing business, JSM Organics, grows a variety of crops but focuses heavily on strawberries.

In five years, Zamora, 43, has gone from near ruin to becoming a successful grower. He came to the United States from Michoacan, Mexico, at age 20 and climbed the ladder to success at a restaurant corporation in Los Angeles. He had a large home and expensive cars.

But the housing crisis in 2006-2007 sent his life into a tailspin. He, his wife Paola and two daughters wound up in a one-bedroom apartment. The couple decided to move to Stockton, where his wife had relatives. Zamora found work and went to school to obtain his GED.

One of his teachers encouraged him to go to college. He did and earned associate of science degrees in horticulture and landscaping, studying at Delta College in Stockton and Cabrillo College in Aptos.

The couple then moved to the Watsonville area, where Zamora worked for a flower grower. He then attended classes to learn how to become an organic grower at Agriculture and Land-Based Training Associaton (ALBA) in Salinas. He graduated and went off on his own.

I started with zero money zero. Just my passion for growing my own food, Zamora said.

He began by obtaining a $5,000 loan and leasing one acre of land. He now leases several farms, totaling 60 acres that he works with the help of more than 20 employees. He recently purchased 200 acres of his own in the Royal Oaks area.

Although he didnt start out to be a farmer, he grew up in a farming family in Mexico. His father farmed there and so do his brothers.

At 7, I was farming with them in Michoacan, Zamora said.

Today, he willingly shares his farming expertise with other growers and students. In April, he was honored at the Salinas Sports Complex by the Monterey County Resource Conservation Districts annual stewardship and scholarship barbecue. Zamora was presented with the Cooperator of the Year award.

This is my Oscar for farming, Zamora said after receiving the honor.

The award acknowledges his successful farming operation and his contributions to organics. He has developed contacts with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to implement projects and practices to address erosion, soil health, water quality and water conservation and pollinator and wildlife habitat on his ranches.

Zamora has shared his knowledge at the EcoFarm Conference, the Salinas Ag Expo, the Latino Farmer Conference and elsewhere. He also sits on the boards of ALBA, the USDAs Small Farmers and Ranchers Advisory Committee and the Pajaro Valley Water Management Association. He has even helped four of his employees start their own farming operations.

His lifes philosophy is about giving.

I think its more of how many people can you help and what can you leave behind, he said. I thank God and Im really blessed As long as were healthy and were still here and have a positive attitude I think we will be OK.

Tom Leyde is a freelance writer and former Californian staff member living in Salinas. Contact him at thomasthomas9330@sbcglobal.net.

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Javier Zamora outlines his path to growing organic produce - The Salinas Californian