What does it really mean to farm “organically”? Today, the term is widely recognized, but decades ago, organic farming was far less defined. It was less about certification and more about philosophy and a commitment to working with nature rather than against it.

As Frog Hollow Farm celebrates 50 years, one of the most defining chapters in our history is our transition from conventional to organic farming in 1989. It was a leap of faith, rooted in curiosity, community, and a deep belief in the power of healthy soil.

The Roots of Organic Farming

Long before “organic” became a standardized label, it was a growing movement shaped by pioneering thinkers. One of the earliest was Sir Albert Howard, who emphasized soil health as the foundation of agriculture, advocating for composting and cover cropping to build fertility naturally. His work inspired J.I. Rodale, who began experimenting with organic practices in the United States and publishing the “Organic Gardening and Farming” magazine in 1942. By 1947, he had founded what is now known as the Rodale Institute, helping bring organic agriculture into wider public awareness.

By the 1970s and 80s, farmers across the country were experimenting with chemical-free methods, often relying on peer networks to share knowledge. Standards varied widely until 1990, when the codification of the National Organic Program established a unified set of guidelines, creating consistency and trust in the organic label across the country. It was in the midst of this evolving movement that Frog Hollow Farm made its transition.

A Vision That Started Early

For Farmer Al, organic farming was always the goal. Before founding Frog Hollow Farm, Al was a schoolteacher in Honolulu, where he cultivated an organic garden in his backyard. But when he began farming in California, the information available at the time pointed overwhelmingly toward conventional practices. “I wanted to be organic from day one,” Al recalls. “But there just wasn’t enough information out there yet.”

As he gained confidence growing fruit trees and attended conferences through the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), he met others experimenting with organic systems. “These were pioneers,” Al says. “They were figuring it out as they went, and I learned so much from them.”

By 1989, with years of experience and a strong network of mentors, Al made the decision to fully transition Frog Hollow Farm to organic agriculture.

Learning from the Land and our Community

The shift to organic farming required rethinking every aspect of the orchard. It wasn’t easy, and there was a lot to be learned. Al leaned on mentors who helped guide the transition, including Lou Falcon, an entomologist at the University of California, studying natural pest control for pears and apples. “Lou was the one who really convinced me,” Al says. “He showed me it could be done.”

He also worked and continues to work closely with Gregg Young, who has been Farmer Al’s pest control advisor for nearly 40 years! Gregg is an entomologist and agronomist whose deep knowledge continues to inform our work in caring for the farm’s ecosystem.  about organic farming and the environment. Other key influences during this transition included Janet Caprile, a UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, and Amigo Bob Cantisano, a leader in the early organic movement.

“Organic farming is not something that’s easy to figure out on your own,” Al says. “It involves leaning on your community.”

Shifting to Organic Farming

The most immediate change during our transition to organic farming was eliminating synthetic inputs. Without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides, the focus shifted to building soil health and supporting natural systems. That meant using natural fertilizers like fish emulsion, kelp, and seaweed, sourcing calcium from oyster shell limestone, and incorporating organic matter like horse bedding to build soil fertility. Over time, compost became the foundation of the farm’s approach.

In the mid-1990s, Frog Hollow Farm began incorporating cover crops, planting grasses and legumes between orchard rows to build organic matter, improve soil structure, and increase biodiversity. These practices made the land more resilient and contributed to the flavor and quality of our legendary fruit.

As Frog Hollow Farm made this transition, our customers embraced the change. What began as a simple message—“no chemicals, no poison”—has evolved into something more expansive. Today, we focus on the benefits: creating a healthier diet for people while caring for the planet, and continuing to educate others about the importance of organic farming.The Rewards of Going Organic

More than 35 years later, the decision to farm organically continues to shape everything we do. For Farmer Al, the greatest reward is better fruit. “The whole goal is to produce sweeter fruit,” he says. “And organic farming helps us do that.”

By investing in soil health and natural systems, the farm has become less dependent on external inputs and better able to withstand environmental challenges. Al explains, “We are spending less on materials and are better able to farm resilient crops that don’t need much protection from Mother Nature because they are a part of Mother Nature.”

Perhaps most importantly, organic farming has brought a deeper sense of connection and purpose. “Instead of killing things, we are focusing on what gives love and life, not death,” Al says. “It is so fulfilling to be farming close to the earth, seeing green things growing around you all the time and knowing you’re nurturing it.”

As Frog Hollow Farm looks ahead, that philosophy remains at the heart of everything we do: supporting the health of the land, the people who eat from it, and the future of farming.