Meet the Farmer

In his hometown of Oaxaca, Roberto Gaytan was raised growing his own food, feeling a strong connection and responsibility for the land. After he migrated to the United States, he was a farmworker at D’Arrigo Brothers in Salinas, California for 18 years, primarily harvesting mustard. But Roberto wanted to build something for himself; to be his own boss and pursue his lifelong passion. After learning about a farm incubator program run by the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), Roberto decided to start his own business. 

In November 2017, Roberto launched Oaxax Farm. In preparing to start Oaxax, Roberto’s days were full as he split his time between attending educational courses and working as a farmworker. By 2019, he was able to transition to farming full-time at Oaxax Farm. His hard work and perseverance led him to graduate from the ALBA program in 2022 and move to Soledad, where he currently leases five acres of land. On the farm, Roberto uses minimal fertilization and avoids pest control. He enjoys selling his delicious vegetables, which include arugula, fava beans, bok choy, broccoli, carrots, and green beans, as well as strawberries, at farmers markets where he can meet new people and see firsthand how his produce provides for communities across the San Francisco Bay Area. A father of three kids, Roberto sees Oaxax Farm as an integral part of who he is as a father too, hoping that his children can find inspiration in his hard work.