For Salvador Parra Jr., farming isn’t just a career, it’s a lifelong passion passed down from his father, who came to California as a 14-year-old boy with a dream of working the land.
“I think it’s the most beautiful thing in the world to start something from seed, put water on it, put some fertilizer in it, watch it grow and create food out of it,” Sal says. “That’s pretty phenomenal.”
Today, that passion thrives on Burford Ranch, where Sal is the Director of Farming and manages 5,000 acres of crops, including almonds, alfalfa, and onions. The ranch has been a family operation for over 50 years, but farming in California hasn’t been without its challenges.
California growers face significant hurdles: recurring droughts, skyrocketing input costs, and the growing need to maximize efficiency.
“The cost to grow things in California just in the last 10 to 15 years has become exponential,” Sal explains. “We’re having to really manage every single resource and every single input that we put into our crops.”
To stay successful, Burford Ranch has embraced innovation and forward-thinking strategies—one of the most impactful being 4R Nutrient Stewardship.
The 4R approach ensures that every fertilizer application is:
The Right Source – Is this the best type or form of fertilizer for the crop?
At the Right Rate – How much does the crop need at this stage?
At the Right Time – When is the best timing for the physiological stage of the crop?
In the Right Place – Where will it provide the greatest benefit?
“100% the 4Rs help us run an efficient operation,” says Sal. “It really represents what it is to be a good steward and a good farmer.”
To achieve this level of precision, Burford Ranch partners with Wilbur-Ellis agronomists Felipe Aguilar and Fernando Ceja, who provide the data and expertise needed to make informed decisions.
“We have weekly meetings to go over fertility plans and chemical plans,” Sal notes. “They bring data to support the decisions that I ultimately have to make.”
The collaboration goes beyond advice. From daily spreadsheet updates to tissue sampling, the Wilbur-Ellis team ensures Burford Ranch implements the most efficient and sustainable practices possible.
“Working along Sal and his farm has made me a better agronomist,” says Felipe. “Implementing the 4Rs should be a standard throughout every farm.”
For Sal, farming is about more than today’s crop—it’s about leaving the land better for future generations.
“The farmers of the 21st century really need to be looking at our resources and our inputs,” he says. “I think it’s important to pass the land on to our future generations, and utilizing the 4Rs is a key part of that.”
Despite the challenges, Sal remains optimistic. “As farmers, we wake up every day and there’s optimism because that sun is shining.”
