it was a lot of trial and error . We finally found our rhythm by figuring out what works and what doesn ' t . It ’ s still a work in progress but this year we feel like we ' ve really nailed it .”
Dan and Tori met at Chico State and gained experience working together when they were both trip leaders on rafting and hiking excursions for the school ’ s Adventure Outings program , eventually running the equipment rental center together . Neither studied agriculture : Tori studied psychology and Dan studied biology .
“ We often joke that together we make one farmer because you need to have a stable mind and some knowledge of the natural earth ,” says Dan , who grew up in San Jose .
After graduating , the couple stayed in Chico a few more years , gaining experience working at various small organic farms in the area . “ We moved back to Amador County not to start a farm but to be near our family ,” says Tori . “ Within a year or two that blossomed into the opportunity to start a farm , so we went for it .”
The couple , who live about a 30-minute commute away from their crops in Amador County , may only have less than two acres , but there ’ s a lot packed into those 120 , 100-foot long expansive beds of fertile topsoil . Depending on the season , they grow beets , broccoli , tomatoes (“ a really good moneymaker ,” Dan says ), carrots , lettuce and other “ little extras ” like onions and parsley . They started Upcountry growing and selling flowers as well , but have since stopped to only focus on vegetables .
Ron Antone , the president of the Amador Farmers Market Association and also the editor of the Farms of Amador newsletter , calls Upcountry Farms “ the most productive two acres you ’ ll ever see .”
“ It ’ s just jam-packed ; they ’ re so good at what they do , so dedicated ,” Antone says , calling Upcountry the anchor vendor of the weekly Sutter Creek market , which runs on Saturdays from mid-May to mid-October . Antone says the market has grown in popularity , attracting up to 600 people a week , which he attributes largely to the Crawfords .
In addition to being regulars at the local farmers market events in Sutter Creek and Plymouth , Upcountry provides fresh vegetables to several local restaurants , and Dan and Tori serve on the board of the Amador Farmers Market managing committee . The farm , which has two seasonal part-time employees , really hit its stride during the pandemic , Dan and Tori say , when people craved fresh vegetables but mobility was limited . As a result , Upcountry ’ s already popular weekly Community Supported Agriculture vegetable boxes sell out their limit of 75 boxes each week .
“ We have a waiting list ,” Tori says . “ Spots never open up . I ’ ve been truly amazed . We ’ re so grateful for that support from the community .”
They currently lease the property for Upcountry Farms , but have an eye on owning their own farm someday in Amador County , where their customer base remains rooted . “ We feel like we definitely found the right spot to settle down ,” Tori says .
While wrapping up their fourth full harvest year , they remain happy with the venture . “ We ’ re definitely pretty tired by the end of the season ,” Tori says . “ But the joy is looking back at how good the season has been and then continuing that momentum and moving forward , looking at what we can do better the next year .”
Steve Martarano was a reporter at the Sacramento Union for 10 years before working in public affairs for both state and federal agencies in Sacramento . On Twitter @ MartArchives .
“ We finally found our rhythm by figuring out what works and what doesn ' t . It ’ s still a work in progress but this year we feel like we ' ve really nailed it . ”
Tori Crawford , co-owner , Upcountry Farms
Tori Crawford pulls carrots from the soil at Upcountry Farms . The carrots are one of approximately 40 seasonal crops at the farm .
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