A farm requires physical work with creativity.
Farming faces worker shortages due to aging farmers, immigration rules, and high wages. In the US, labor costs top $53 billion, and guest worker programs fall short. This delays harvests and cuts yields. Robots and remote tech help, but better policies are needed.
Profits are hard with high costs for fuel and fertilizer, plus low crop prices from overproduction. US farm income may hit $180 billion, but adjusted for inflation, it’s low. Government aid helps short-term, but tech for cost-cutting and new products is key for long-term gains.
Food quality suffers from poor soil, weather, shortages, and chemicals. Nutrient loss in soil and worker gaps hurt nutrition and safety. Chemicals boost yields but leave residues on 75% of produce, risking health and the environment.
First, feet on the ground and hands in the dirt. Farming is real and physical on all weathers and all terrains. So the creativity comes from real life experience and drive, and often efficiency comes from thinking outside of the box.
Secondly, learning on a global scale. Travel is a key element in learning about farming, as you have to be at the places with the people to be able to ask the specific questions.
Thirdly, collaborating and sharing. What’s our top secret for building relationships and trust? Believe it or not, it’s so simple and heart-warming if you just say: I love your food!
How visitors keep Dan Dan Farm fresh, alive, and full of wonder. At Dan Dan Farm, we’re surrounded by beauty every day. The land is special—nestled in Napa Valley with rolling hills, sun-kissed olive groves, morning fog that hugs the trees...
The sun, the terroir, and the quiet power of care. At first glance, planting the smallest olive cutting might seem like a simple cost-saving decision. It’s true—smaller cuttings are less expensive...
When planting olive trees, most farmers use cuttings rather than seeds—and there’s a good reason for this. Olives, like many fruit trees, are generally cross-pollinated or have a certain degree of genetic diversity each season.
Farming is not about doing everything all the time—it’s about knowing the right things to do at the right time. Timing is everything. When to prune, when to plant, when to fertilize, when to irrigate…
What Is EVOO? Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is the highest quality and most flavorful grade of olive oil. It is made from pure, cold-pressed olives, without the use of heat, chemicals, or industrial refining.