Meet Celsa Ortega, a mother of four from Oaxaca, Mexico, and the proud owner of Induchucuiti Organic Farms in Salinas, California. Growing up in the mountain ranges of Oaxaca with her grandparents, Celsa learned the value of agriculture through their work harvesting a traditional ‘milpa.’ Inspired by their dedication, she developed a deep connection to the land at an early age.
In 2006, Celsa and her family moved to the Salinas Valley, where they began working in the fields. She found satisfaction in her job harvesting cilantro by contract in Greenfield, California, which provided her family with good pay and reliable hours.
A former coworker introduced her to ALBA (the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association), an organization that offers intensive, hands-on training to aspiring farmers. ALBA has helped over 600 farmers develop the skills needed to succeed, with more than 200 launching farms on ALBA land, and nearly 100 going on to farm independently. Celsa’s visit to ALBA exposed her to a variety of crops she had never seen before, igniting her passion for organic farming. She decided to apply and join the farm-to-table movement.
Through her training at ALBA, Celsa learned that organic farming not only supports the health of the land but also benefits her own well-being and that of her family. Today, she contributes to the organic farming community by growing certified organic broccoli and onions on a half-acre plot in Salinas. Her goal is to expand her farm by renting a larger piece of land closer to her home, despite the challenges posed by the high cost of agricultural land in the region.
Celsa hopes to set an example for her children, showing them the value and importance of fieldwork. For her, organic farming is a way to honor her grandparents’ legacy and continue the deep connection to the land that they instilled in her.