“Picoso Farms Flood Recovery Fund”

My name is Maria “Nancy” Nuñez and I am the owner-operator of Picoso Farms, an 8-acre vegetable and fruit farm in Gilroy, CA.

The recent winter storms in California have threatened the future of my farm and devastated my family’s livelihood. After the first large storm in January, we were able to move a lot of equipment to higher ground and considered ourselves lucky as there was not much flooding. When the second storm hit last month, 2 acres of our fields were left under roughly 4 feet of water. I asked some members of our family to come help us try to salvage a lot of the previously harvested crops and equipment from the rising water. I was able to save some things but our crops in the flooded fields did not survive.

I started my family business alongside my partner Jose in hopes to one day have a house for my family of 6. Throughout the years, we have grown what we could and tried to add to our business with little capital. This year, we had high hopes to make another large stride in our business journey. These storms have created a major setback for our farm business and our family as it is our main source of income. The damages are assumed to be more than $8,000 in losses–a financial hit that we were not prepared for.

Our passion for farming is captured by the motto, “Doing what you love, you never work a day in your life.” Farming and family are our life’s passion and purpose and we wish to continue growing food as a family for years to come.

Please help me, Jose and our children ensure a future for our family and farm by donating what you can.

***Update 3/17/23*** 2nd Flooding Event on 3/10/23

Our farm suffered another flooding event on March 10, 2023 flooding 2.5 acres of the farm (approximately .5 acres more this time). This time our home was flooded as well. Losses from our damaged RV, furniture, clothing, plant material and labor, farmers market material, etc. are estimated to be $30,000 now. We are grateful for all of the community support we have received and continue to receive. Thank you so much.