Nishica Farm
About Us

Nishica Farm is a small, CCOF-certified organic farm in San Juan Bautista, California.
Apples and citrus are at the heart of the farm.
We also grow nursery plants, seasonal vegetables, and flowers.

Why & When was Nishica Farm started?  

Nishica Farm was started to grow excellent fruit and help keep local agriculture alive in the region. A large part of the San Francisco Bay Area and areas around were covered with orchards.  With the development of Silicon Valley, and the need for housing, these have disappeared.  Nishica Farm's mission is to bring back a local orchard and the joy of eating fresh fruit, picked right from the tree. 

Work on the farm began in 2019, with cover crops planted to improve the soil. The first orchard trees were planted in 2021, and the farm’s first small apple harvest was ready in fall 2023.

How were the apple varieties selected?

Nishica Farm’s apple varieties were selected by Terence Welch, an ISA Certified Arborist and professional orchardist with more than 45 years of experience growing and managing fruit trees. His work focuses on organic, sustainable orchard management. Terence is widely recognized for his restoration work in preserving the agricultural history of the Santa Clara Valley and Santa Cruz area including restoration work at the Los Altos Heritage Orchard. 

Terence selected the varieties first for flavor, but also for resistance to apple scab. At Nishica Farm, that disease resistance has meant, that unlike other farms sulfur sprays have not been needed for apple scab.

What else does Nishica Farm grow?

In addition to apples and citrus, Nishica Farm grows lavender, seasonal vegetables and flowers. 

Using our farming expertise, we launched a nursery and are growing strong healthy starter plants of vegetables and flowers.  

The nursery includes familiar garden plants as well as specialty South Asian varieties that can be difficult to find locally. 

Can I visit the farm?

Farm visits are offered on selected dates. Contact us to learn about future opportunities

Why is it called Nishica Farm?

Nishica Farm was started and is run by Sheena and is named after her mother, Nishi. The “ca” stands for California, but Nishica also sounds like “Nishi ka,” meaning “Nishi’s” in Hindi, the language Sheena speaks with her mother. In other words, Nishica Farm is Nishi’s farm.

Nishi loves fruit and takes a close interest in the farm She carefully looks at the photos and videos Sheena sends, asks questions, and offers encouragement and support. She has shown Sheena, by example, the value of working hard, and farming is nothing but hard work!

Where are you located?