Pedro and Amalia Gracia, of Gracia Farms in San Benito, rediscovered each other late in life, after having raised large families with their first spouses. They had known each other in San Fernando, Tamaulipas, where Amalia had a restaurant that Pedro remembers fondly. They consider their daughter Heather to be their miracle child, coming so late in their lives as she did. Heather lives and works with her parents, in addition to being a pre-med student at the University of Texas at Brownsville.
Together Pedro, Amalia and Heather have put a lot of sweat equity into making Gracia Farms a highly productive operation that offers free-range chicken eggs, organically grown vegetables, goat milk and cheese. They are the first of many growers we will be writing about that sell their fresh, mainly organic produce at the Harlingen, Brownsville, and South Padre Island farmers markets.
Heather knows it all started when she was a young girl and a family friend gave her a female Boer goat. “Abuela” became grandmother to many subsequent generations of goats, which numbered up to 300 at one time.
The goats thrived under Pedro’s care, and he likes having them because they provide a ready supply of tender cabrito for their family and their friends. They also put into action the skills he learned during years of working with goats as a child. Amalia milks the goats, and makes her own special cheese and candy from their milk.
Pedro worked as a migrant farm worker as a young man, traveling often to California’s central valley, where he had the honor of knowing Cesar Chavez. He experienced first-hand the tremendous impact Cesar Chavez’s efforts had on the working conditions of farm workers all over this country. He also learned a lot about farming, knowledge that has directly benefited his own farm.
For 16 years, the Gracias routinely planted many acres of sorghum and corn. Some of their harvest became feed for their many animals, and the rest was sold commercially.
The family originally got into the produce business by purchasing wholesale produce at warehouses in the upper valley, and reselling it at the flea market. Heather remembers with distaste that the vegetable boxes were packed with the best items on top, a layer that often obscured rotten items in the middle of the box. She understood that because the food had traveled a long distance, been handled by many hands, and sat in the warehouse waiting to be sold, it inevitably deteriorated in quality.
When Pedro had surgery a few years ago, the family decided to try something new. Their priority became growing their own high quality, well-cared-for vegetables organically. Their goal is to use and develop their land in ways that benefit the community they live in. Their farm’s motto - “Inspiring a Healthier Tomorrow” - says it all. Come visit them at an RGV farmers market near you.
