弗兰克穆勒’s father emigrated from Switzerland in 1967 to start a dairy farm in San Jose. The family later moved to Yolo County, California to focus on row crops. After Frank and his two brothers, Louie and Tom graduated from college, 他们搬回了伍德兰, California to work on the farm. Today after over 50 years of production, the farm employs over 100 people, and Frank focuses mainly on the business aspects of the operation. Frank and Tom’s sons have also returned to the farm as the third generation of farmers, helping their Fathers and families introduce new technology and social media for two separate operations now known as Muller Ag (Tom and son) and M三个牧场 (Frank and son). M三个牧场 covers several thousand acres and includes a wide variety of crops, 比如加工西红柿, 辣椒, 大蒜, 葡萄, 向日葵, 橄榄, 核桃, 小麦, 和杏仁. Several hundred acres are certified organic, including some acreage dedicated to organic processing tomatoes, 香菜, 还有白色玉米卷. M三个牧场 is known for its use of sustainable practices such as crop rotation, 免耕, 覆盖耕作, 以及堆肥的应用.  As a result of these notable efforts, M三个牧场 has been able to expand to offer other services like farm management, 咨询, 蜜蜂授粉, 栖息地恢复.

M三个牧场 was first recognized for its sustainable farming practices over 15 years ago when Frank and his partners were approached by a large industrial customer to create a sustainable model for processing tomatoes. The contract proved to Frank that good stewardship practices have market value, which encouraged him to strive for make continuous improvements.

The Ranch’s management practices have changed over time in response to varying factors like weather, 害虫, 市场需求, 和技术. Frank is particularly interested in good management practices, especially related to energy and water conservation, 土壤健康, 和生产力.

Frank believes that sustainability means minimizing the use of resources and only adding inputs for a specific reason. He notes that one of the most important inputs to increase sustainability on the farm has been technology, 特别是全球定位系统, which has allowed 3M Ranch to install subsurface drip irrigation more precisely. With regards to energy conservation, the farm is also working on three big solar installations that will power the irrigation systems. 除了太阳能, 3M Ranch has recently transitioned to a whole new fleet of tier IV (low emission) tractors.

Along with their energy and water conservation, M三个牧场 is committed to maintaining 土壤健康. Soil sensors have been placed in select fields and facilitates necessary management decision-making for irrigation, as well as nitrogen application. Frank notes that soil sensors are expensive, and that it is important to properly budget for all soil improvement projects, 包括覆盖作物, 和设备. Compost is an important component of maintaining 土壤健康 on the farm. According to Frank, using compost has greatly aided in building soil structure and potassium content. His chosen compost consists of green waste sourced from a nearby waste-processing facility, 还有鸡砂.

GPS technology has facilitated many conservation gains. Frank’s drip GPS and monitoring system has resulted in a 40 percent reduction in water use on tomatoes alone.  通过在拖拉机上使用GPS, the ranch’s field operations have decreased by 15 percent, reducing labor costs and greenhouse gas emissions. 至于营养成分, Frank explains that by just monitoring and only applying the appropriate amount, M三个牧场 has reduced nitrogen use by 80 percent with no decrease in yield.

In addition to the farm’s environmental and economic sustainability, Frank is very proud of the farm’s commitment to social equity. The farm offers benefits including medical insurance and bonuses to its employees. 感谢他的努力, Frank has received Agriculturalist of the Year awards from both Yolo County and UC Davis.  He credits the positive publicity generated by the Unilever contract with elevating M三个牧场 as a model for sustainability.

California tomatoes are recognized worldwide for their outstanding taste, color and quality. The Muller Family is proud to produce such a wholesome and fresh product and they appreciate their relationship with Pacific Coast Producers.  Frank has said “It is comforting to know that, after putting my heart into growing these beautiful tomatoes, the same care is provided all the way to the customer by PCP.  This group effort is the reason why Pacific Coast Producers continually packs such a superior quality product.”