Meet Larry Alvarez

Welcome to Alvarez Organic Farms

Alvarez Organic Farms is located in the hot and arid South Yakima Valley, a great place to grow spicy peppers and sweet tasting tomatoes. Larry Alvarez and his son Ed grow over 200 varieties of vegetables and melons, delivering their wonderful organic produce throughout the Yakima Valley and Puget Sound region.

Products Available

200 varieties of vegetables (including many peppers and tomatoes) and melons.

Growing Philosophy

“In 1993 I was watching the news and there was a report about pesticides. I didn’t want people to get sick from eating my vegetables so I decided to go into the WSDA Organic Program.”

Building The Health Of The Soil

Every other year, Larry adds 450 tons of cow manure to his 70 acres of cropland. In addition he leaves his crop stubble, which he tills in before spring planting. By taking soil tests every three years, he is able to keep on top of key soil indicators such percent of his soil’s organic matter to ensure the long-term health of his farmland.

Innovative Pest Management

Alvarez Organic Farms uses only certified organic materials for controlling insect damage. Larry even makes his own water-based pest spray using garlic cloves. Now that’s innovative pest management!

Promoting Genetic Diversity

Alvarez Organic Farms grows more than 120 varieties of peppers and 50 varieties of tomatoes, all grown from the seeds they harvest from their own crop. This is one of our State’s most amazing efforts to maintain and promote genetic diversity.