Ortega Berry Farms

July 24, 2020 | Customer Stories

A FAMILY DREAM NURTURED from modest beginnings

Ortega Berry Farms grew from modest beginnings. Edward and Carlos Ortega’s parents, Alfredo and Josefina, first came to the United States from Mexico and eventually arrived in Watsonville, California, working as sharecroppers in the strawberry fields. Here their father soon advanced to ranch manager, overseeing a midsized berry operation.

Edward Ortega attended school in Los Angeles and earned his engineering degree. His career started at Sun Microsystems, but he was soon disenchanted with the work and longed for something more. Shortly after, the Marinovich Ranch, a small property northeast of Watsonville, became available and Edward jumped at the chance to start a new career. With start-up money borrowed from his parents, Edward ventured into farming strawberries and raspberries.

With Alfredo and Josefina’s invaluable support and supervision, the whole family became involved and a partnership was formed, making Ortega Berry Farms a reality.

Early on, Edward and Carlos received their first bank loan from American AgCredit. Through the years, American AgCredit has been there for the Ortegas, including financing the purchase of the property they first farmed some 20 years earlier. Today, Ortega Berry Farms is a diversified and integrated operation of several hundred acres of strawberries from farming to sales. To this day, the Ortegas rely on American AgCredit for their financing needs.

Edward and Carlos continue to trust American AgCredit’s expertise and commitment to serving agriculture. The relationship has been long and prosperous.

Farm equipment and a lens flare, tractor loans

Two farmers admiring rows of berry plants in a large enclosure

Farmer operating a piece of equipment with a lens flare

Rows of berry plants in a large enclosure

Rows of covered berry plants

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