Pioneering Organics in the Texas Panhandle
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 8:34AM 
The best organic farm you probably never heard of? Cimarron Organics, located within the city of Amarillo, TX. Finding Cimarron was pretty easy, because when I searched "Amarillo" + "organic farms" it was the only search result. That's because there aren't any other organic fruit or vegetable farms within a 120-mile radius.
The farm is owned by Ronnie Kimbrell, and his father, brother and son work on it, making it a true family farm. A bicycle accident eight years ago left Kimbrell paralyzed from the chest down, but he's one of the most knowledgeable and engaged farmers we've met.
Kimbrell is a true pioneer of West Texas organic farming, and he's also an innovator. Just before we arrived he had released a bunch of ladybugs into the tomato greenhouse for pest control. He also mulches with hay, uses drip tape to irrigate all of the crops, and plans to build more greenhouses and raise laying hens in the future. In addition to his work on the farm, Kimbrell acts as president of Amarillo's Golden Spread Farmer's Market where his farmstand has built a loyal following.
In the two hours we spent at Cimarron, Kimbrell gave us a tour of his two greenhouses and the surrounding fields, in which he grows fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, okra, asparagus, blackberries, lettuce, cantaloupe, watermelons, and peaches. At the end of our visit, he let pick fresh asparagus for dinner!
-Mark
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Reader Comments (4)
Mr Kimbrell, thank you so much for making this planet a healthier
world by growing organic!!! Every farmer is important! We live in
Azle, TX and are growing an organic garden & flower garden.
We love it!!
All Love & All Blessings for you & yours
estelle & james buel
Ronnie Kimbrell sounds like an amazing man with an unshakable will.
(Yikes, another photo blooper! You wanna check the very first photo.)
Dear Mr. Kimbell,
My name is Kimberly I live in Pampa, TX. you may already know that organic produce is very hard to find in my town. I myself am very interested in learning how to grow organic fruits,vegetables and herbs. Unfortunately for me al that I have to guide is what i can find onlilne. Most sites ask that you pay for a membership for any help on farming. the expenses for starting a garden are costly enough without someone charging money for information. I have read that all over the country more and more you can find community farms and they are open to individuals that are looking to do an apprenticeship. to learn hands on approach to growing fresh fruits and veggies. i feel that in my situation there is a lack of this near me and would like to learn all about organic farming so that i can help those in my town that are interested in organic farming. I completely undertand that because your farm is a family owned and operated farm, that you might not want strangers working to learn about the amazing joy of organic farming. if the answer is that you are not interested at all. I really need help being steered in the right direction.
Sincerely,
Kimberly
Thanks for the nice comments. Kimberly, you can reach me through the contact form on our website. www.cimarronorganics.com I'll help in any way I can.
Ronnie