ABOUT YOUR FARMER

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 JOHN FORNERIS - FARMER

John is a third generation farmer in Southern California’s San Fernando Valley and Ventura County. He grew up when farming was considered an important and valuable profession. In his early school years John helped grow and market fruits and vegetables on his Father’s farm. In 1966 after graduating from high school he began his own farming business and opened his first farm stand in Mission Hills, California. He has retained that location successfully for over 50 years.

In 1966 John also entered California State University at Northridge. John attended CSUN for five years, graduating with a degree in Kinesiology. His fifth year at CSUN was to obtain a Secondary Education Teaching Credential, thinking he might later like to teach. John’s schedule was very hectic and full as he continued to farm and operated his farm stand throughout his college years.

After graduation in 1971 John’s business had developed a very large customer base. He decided to continue with farming and expanded his business by obtaining an additional 160 acres and opening another farm stand on Corbin and Nordhoff in Northridge, which he operated until his lease ended in 1979. During this time John continued to develop a steady and profitable business at his Mission Hills location while still looking to expand.

In 1990 the Mission Hills farm stand had reached the need for more farm land to support his operation. John expanded to Ventura County and opened a farm stand in Simi Valley until the year 2000 when the land was sold.

Encouraged by his customers for a steady supply of available fresh produce and attracting many new customers over the years, John has broadened his product line from his first planting of corn and tomatoes in 1966, to include strawberries, pumpkins, melons, squash, green beans, peppers (sweet and hot), onions, herbs and flowers along with other crops.

In January 2004 John was asked to participate in Consulting for a project called the Agriculture Educational Center or (AEC) at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California. The AEC project was to provide the community with fresh grown produce and a farm market. The AEC was to be located on the corner of Victory and De Soto in Woodland, Hills. In 2005 John was invited to participate in the Farming Services for Pierce College and the AEC, which involved preparation of ground, planting, growing, harvesting and marketing of the crops. The association continued from January 2005 through January 2009.

October 2024, John enters his fifty ninth season of farming and operating a successful farm market. John also provides the Mission Hills community with a Fall Harvest Festival during the month of October, bringing entertainment and educational farm enrichment during this favorite season.