Description

Underwood Ranches is a family owned farm with roots in Ventura County going back to the 1860's. The Underwoods settled in Santa Paula, the Mahans in Camarillo, and the Kelsey's and Duvals in Saticoy. They were the ancestors that farmed lima beans, walnuts, lemons, and early plantings of fresh produce. Richard Underwood started branching out from lima beans and dry land grains into tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower. Urban Underwood was a charter member of the Ventura Pacific Lemon Cooperative. Richard was one of the original members of Oxnard Frozen Foods Vegetable Cooperative. Craig joined with his Dad in 1968 and they farmed fordhook lima beans, cannery tomatoes for Hunt Wesson, broccoli for Oxnard Frozen Foods, and commodity fresh produce. In the 80's, market conditions led the farm to look for opportunities to develop specialty vegetables. It was a time when retailers were leery of anything new. It's hard to imagine today. Baby carrots, baby beets, and spring mix became signature products for the farm. The carrots and beets remain staples today. Around 1990, Underwood and Son began growing jalapenos for Huy Fong Foods. That relationship has led to the farm becoming one of the largest producers of red jalapenos in the country. The high cost and shortage of labor led Underwood, in partnership with Huy Fong, to develop mechanical harvesting of jalapenos. As a result, the farm is able to compete with Mexico and Asia. The experience with many and diverse products that have comprised the sales of specialty vegetables, has enabled the farm to understand the particular needs of its customers. We pride ourselves in attention to detail.