SOLEDAD, CA — On July 1, 2025, Braga Fresh welcomed California Department of Food & Agriculture Karen Ross to its home ranch in Soledad for a field tour highlighting the company’s regenerative farming trials. The visit marked a milestone in Braga Fresh’s fifth year of Carbon Capture Farming, showcasing progress, sharing learnings, and inviting continued support to expand regenerative practices throughout the Salinas Valley.

For the past five years, Braga Fresh has been committed to farming in ways that reduce emissions, rebuild soil health, and capture carbon directly in the soil. CEO Rod Braga and his team demonstrated how evolving their approach to tillage and implementing permanent plantings within crop beds is yielding measurable results.

Tour Highlights Shared with Secretary Ross:

  • 100 acres of Braga’s organic fields in Soledad, CA are now farmed regeneratively
  • 78% fewer tractor passes through minimum tillage practices
  • Carbon emissions reduced by up to 1,000 lbs. per acre
  • Permanent roots have helped cultivate 49 new microbial species
  • Braga’s goal: “What if the answer to climate change lies in the soil?” said CEO Rod Braga. “If carbon capture farming works, then large-scale farming becomes a force for good—for people and the planet.”

This visit underscores Braga Fresh’s leadership in sustainable agriculture and its open-source approach to sharing progress, encouraging more Salinas Valley growers to explore regenerative farming.

For more information about the company, visit https://bragafresh.com/regenerative-farming-trials/  .

 

Photo/Video credit: Braga Fresh

About Braga Fresh

In 1928, Sebastian and Josie Braga started farming California’s fertile soil on what is now known as the Braga Home Ranch in Soledad, Calif.  Today, the third generation continues the family values of sustainable-organic farming. Braga Fresh sets aside 10% of farmland to beneficial habitat and has the goal of being carbon neutral through its regenerative Carbon Capture Farming program.  Vertically integrated, Braga Fresh combines innovation with tradition to grow, harvest and process fresh vegetables and leafy greens through the Josie’s Organics and Braga Farms brands.