Francisco Castaneda started working as the Production Assistant for one of Ocean Mist Farms' branches, Sea Mist Farms, in September 2009 and has since become the Production Manager for all Sea Mist Farms production. Francisco's pride for Ocean Mist Farms and the Ag industry is contagious, here's how he described it:
"I’m proud to be part of the Sea Mist and Ocean Mist Farms family. The Ag industry is a challenging field but I’m fortunate enough to work with people who love what they do. In a sense, what I do every day is not a job, it's a lifestyle."
Keep reading to learn more about Francisco and his important role at our company!
1. What is your current job title? How would you explain your role/what you do to someone not in the Ag industry?
I’m the Production Manager for Sea Mist Farms. I’m like an orchestra conductor but instead of coordinating instruments I coordinate irrigation, plant nutrition, pest management, cultural practices, ground prep, etc. Instead of producing and executing classical melodies, our team produces different vegetables, following them along and providing what they need at every different crop stage from planting until harvesting.
2. Tell us more about how sustainability is intertwined with your role.
Sustainability is an integral part of my everyday job and our company as a whole. In the Ag industry we can’t afford to be wasteful, so our team ensures we don’t use excess inputs: water, fertilizer, pesticides, etc. This is part of agricultural best practices, keeps our production costs competitive, and is more environmentally sustainable.
We want Sea Mist Farms and Ocean Mist Farms to continue operating for years to come. This objective would be impossible to accomplish if we don’t care for our natural resources and environment. It’s our inherent duty to care for the environment and our responsibility to continue advancing our sustainability practices for both environmental and corporate well-being.
3. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned on the job?
Pay attention to the task at hand. Don’t assume and don’t judge without asking the right questions.
4. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you expect to go into this field? Where did you go to college?
At some point I took some classes to become a medical doctor. Nonetheless my parents and some of my uncles were Ag Engineers so I decided to follow the family business so to speak.
I attended ITESM in Mexico where I got my B.S in Agronomy Engineering and I also spent some time in Vancouver, Canada at the University of British Columbia.
5. What is your favorite OMF product?
I absolutely love Brussels Sprouts.
6. What is your personal motto?
Be happy, love your family, plan, work hard. Life will take care of the rest.
7. What is your hidden talent?
I can name almost any Metallica song in the first few seconds of play.
8. Name one thing on your bucket list.
Visit Japan.
9. What is the best advice you have ever received?
You don’t control the unexpected things that happen to you, but you do control how you react to them.
10. What is your favorite book or movie?
Movie, The Fifth Element. Book, any of the Freakonomics books.
