Our GardenerHail Stiers spent summers on his grandparents' farm in the Central Valley of California driving tractors, harvesting fruit & other crops and working with the animals. It was during those years that Hail truly experienced the passion that would become who he was meant to be.
During his time at University Santa Cruz, Hail took a gardening class, a turning point in his life. " It never occurred to me that I could be a farmer," says Hail. " I loved the farm, but I grew up in suburbia. Everyone I knew had office jobs and now I was interested in organic gardening" After graduation, Hail worked in Santa Cruz for an organic garden that supported local farm fresh restaurants. He later moved to Napa to work at The French Laundry Culinary Garden, a pristine three-acre garden that supplies picture perfect crops for the renowned restaurant. Hail was fascinated by the relationship between his work and the stunning dishes created by these acclaimed chefs. " that hooked me, the connection of the food from the garden to incredible works of art!" After moving to Sonoma county to work at an organic nursery specializing in food crops, Hail joined the Dry Creek General Store. Hail manages the three sustainably grown culinary gardens farming vegetables, herbs, & flowers. "There is a huge sense of pride seeing people enjoying the food at the Dry Creek General Store, says Hail. I feel it in my chest. You can hear people telling each other, This is amazing , you need to try this!" I know that I grew those tomatoes, peppers, kale...There is nothing better than that, That's the end goal! |