Maria Narez: Help us rebuild my farm - CA floods

My name is Maria Narez and I am the owner-operator of Narez Organic Produce, a 10-acre, organic farm in Prunedale, CA.

The California winter storms have caused serious harm to me, my family, and my farm. As the water began rising in a creek near my property, I went out to move a tractor and other equipment to higher ground so they would not be damaged by flooding. In trying to secure an attachment to the tractor, I slipped and fell, causing metal debris to get in my eyes. After surgery, the doctor told me that I will now have significant permanent vision loss in both eyes. In addition, eight of the ten acres of my farm flooded, destroying my irrigation system and crops.

My focus now is to heal from this injury and rebuild my farm, but I have two to three months of recovery ahead with no source of income for my family or land to farm going forward. I’m asking for your support of me, my partner Esmeralda, and our four children as we’re faced with medical expenses and no income.

Prior to this crisis, I was finally feeling settled on my farm. In 2021, I had left my job to pursue farming full-time with Esmeralda after many years working for other agricultural businesses. It was a struggle to find land, but we made it through that time and finally were able to start supporting ourselves and our family through the farm. We have been passionate about creating a safe space in agriculture for people of all identities and want to continue building a community where people feel welcome and accepted.

Please help me, Esmeralda, and our children make it through this loss by donating what you can.