The Wine Down – The Ag Biz- McGrath Family Farms (Phil McGrath)

EPISODE SYNOPISIS This week on The Wine Down Sonja and Brandon are joined by Phil McGrath of McGrath family farms to discuss the world of farming and agriculture. Phil explains his family history, when/why he transitioned to organic farming and the importance of fresh,local and seasonal produce. A few video segments highlight McGrath farms and what goes into CSA produce boxes. Continuing on the discussion from a recent wine challenge of finding wines that pair with vegetables, the group taste a few wines alongside several plates featuring seasonal vegetables (courtesy of Restaurant 111). GUEST BIO Phil McGrath — has been farming on the Oxnard plane for over 40 years. He comes from one of the oldest farming families in Ventura County. His great-grandfather began his agricultural legacy back in 1867 when he came to the states from Ireland as a sheep farmer. The family eventually farmed 5000 acres in Camarillo and Oxnard transitioning from sheep and cattle, to dairy, and then row crops. Phil carried on this tradition of change by transitioning his conventional ag operation to organic agriculture in 1995. He’s never looked back. He says he farms in paradise. Today he has a farm stand along the 101 freeway off of Central Avenue in Camarillo. He’s a regular at many local farmers markets, including Santa Monica and Hollywood and works directly with many of the city’s best restaurants and chefs. ADDITIONAL LINKS, ETC. www.epa.gov/agriculture/torg.html www.rodale.com/ www …