Meet the Farmer
Torres Organic Farm
Carlos and Leticia Torres
Established In 2016
Location Salinas, CA
Acreage 10
What they sell Mixed organic vegetables
When they began working with KTA 2020
Advising Focus Diversifying market channels; land access; developing record-keeping systems
Support our ongoing advising work with Torres Organic Farm by giving to KTA.
Carlos Torres grew up immersed in the agricultural community of Hidalgo, Mexico, tending to the earth from a young age. When he migrated to the U.S. in 1999, Carlos continued to seek work in agriculture, growing his love for farming in the strawberry and artichoke fields. The idea of starting his own business came to him in a conversation with his car mechanic, who mentioned that an organization called ALBA helped farmers start their own farm businesses. Hoping to find more freedom, empowerment, and learning through independent business ownership, Carlos applied to ALBA and started Torres Organic Farm with his wife Leticia in 2016.
Carlos looks back on the decision to start his own business as one of his proudest accomplishments. Initially, Carlos started farming on half an acre of land. Currently in 2024, Carlos produces his delicious organic vegetables across 10. Throughout his farming journey, Carlos has remained dedicated to growing nourishing, organic produce, knowing these practices are not only enriching the soil, but contributing toward a world in which his children can grow up healthy and content.
Where to Find
New Leaf Market (Santa Cruz)
Advising Snapshot: 2024
Carlos and Leticia began working with KTA in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With their wholesale market channels heavily disrupted by pandemic-related supply chain issues, Carlos immediately collaborated with Farm Business Advisor Tania Zuñiga to secure emergency operational grants to support his business. Beyond accessing these vital funds, Carlos and Tania have also partnered on organizing the business’ cash-flow, developing a cash-flow statement, and strengthening Carlos’ bookkeeping skills to improve future planning.
In the years following the pandemic, Carlos and his business have been affected by rising prices, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary conditions. As wholesale buyers have changed their prices and expectations for growers, Carlos has had to continually adapt his business to stay afloat. Furthermore, the winter storms of 2023 also affected his business, unexpectedly destroying half of his crops. Carlos, though, is determined to see his business continue to survive and thrive. Working alongside Tania, he is now looking to diversify and expand his portfolio of wholesale buyers in order to achieve greater security through a stable income to support him and his family.
