Farmer Spotlight: Jacques Carter
Jacques came to Spade & Plow in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. We were experiencing exponential growth, and in dire need of a steady presence amidst the transient crisis. He showed up as a solid rock. Honest and authentic, Jacques’ personality and hard work has been critical in helping our team carve a path forward to growing a successful company (lots of tough pruning and weeding included!).
He rolls up long before the sun and leaves each day with a cloud of dust in his beloved 1978 Toyota pickup. Even after work, it’s not uncommon to find Jacques still chatting outside with Farmer Nick about all the new additions he’s making to his car.
Jacques proudly showing off his labor of love, displaying the newest completed project (a bright yellow hood!) on his Toyota.
Bumper stickers: a window to the soul. Bet you recognize at least one of ‘em.
Though he was born in England, he’s a Morgan Hill local at heart. For years now, he’s loved working on cars, being around cars, and driving cars. “I’ve always been a car person,” he says. So it’s not surprising that when Covid hit and he was no longer able to do audio work at concerts and large events, he began looking for driving jobs. Before he ever came in for an interview, the S&P crew liked him and his smile-provoking honesty over email -- “I’m not really a big vegetable fan. But I’ve never met potato I didnt like.” he told us.
For nearly two years now, Jacques has been faithfully driving CSA routes, crunching data, and bringing home potatoes (and apples now too!). While he started as a driver, he now oversees streamlining and improving all 9 CSA routes, logistics, and CSA label-making. Anything that gets delivered to your door first goes through Jacques- and thank goodness, because this guy never seems to miss a detail!
With 500 weekly boxes, 20 pick up sites, dozens of wholesale customers, and all the bread and flower add-ons in between, Jacques never seems to miss a beat.
While we’ve learned and benefited so much from having Jacques on Team S&P, he’s also learned lots during his time here. He’s become a pro at maximizing route efficiency, managing a team of drivers, and expanding our home delivery program: from Palo Alto all the way to Carmel. He knows nearly every CSA member, if not by their address alone (He knows where you live!). Jacques appreciates the dynamic of working for a small family-owned farm. “I get to have the ears of my managers often and know that my opinion is valued. Our bosses are right here alongside us doing all the hard work too.”
Jacques’ presence is warmly welcomed both in the shed and on the road. It’s no surprise that customers love to come out and greet him on delivery routes. When he’s lucky, he’ll get some baked treats on the road, which no one at the farm lets last very long (thanks for sharing Jacques!).
Next time you see him in your driveway, be sure to give Jacques a big wave and ask him his favorite way to prepare potatoes!
