Meet the Farmer

Over the years, Mabiel Ambriz has taken every opportunity possible to reconnect with the earth, even before he officially became a business owner. 

Mabiel’s love of farming traces back to the lessons he learned from his father. In Nueva Italia de Ruiz, Michoacán, México, his family primarily grew corn and beans, often relying on rainwater to grow crops. When they found land with regular water access, the family began growing more, adding watermelon, pumpkins, and tomatoes to their routine. 

Mabiel says he’s proud to inherit this knowledge from his father. In the 1990s, Mabiel arrived in the United States and worked in construction for two decades before eventually finding his way back to working with the earth. At one of his construction jobs, he learned his boss owned land, but was using an entire acre to store equipment. Mabiel saw an opening: he asked if, in exchange for organizing and cleaning the area, he could use that space to grow his own crops. His boss agreed, and soon Mabiel got to work, clearing the land to plant watermelon, corn, tomatoes, and chilis. He continued meeting other farmers and finding more acres to grow his own produce. Soon, he decided to start his business to get back to doing what he loves: farming.

Mabiel and his wife, Norma, who is very involved with the farm, have three kids. The two eldest children help in the farm’s day-to-day operations. Community is also important to Mabiel. He is a member of the Fresno BIPOC Produce Support group, a farmer-focused food hub that has connected his business with numerous farmers markets and food banks as well as partner organizations. 

After so many years of working at big companies, Mabiel says he’s grateful for the independence of running his own farm. Even though the days are often long, Mabiel says he can’t imagine doing anything else.