Jorge Mario Bon

Commodities Grown: Grape tomatoes, Hot house cucumbers, Mini sweet peppers, Colored bell peppers

1) When did you know you wanted to be a farmer?
I knew I wanted to be a farmer since I began visiting the fields with my father at the age of 5 or 6.
2) When did you actually start farming?
I began farming in 1980 at the age of 15.
3) What did you grow first?
I started growing roma tomatoes.
4) What commodities have you grown over the years?
Over the years I have grown roma tomatoes, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, European cucumbers, sweet corn, Italian squash, green beans, beans, grain, round tomatoes and watermelon.
5) What is your favorite commodity to grow? To eat?
My favorite commodity for eating is cucumber and I don’t have a favorite for growing.
6) When you’re not farming/working, what do you like to do with your spare time?
In my spare time I like to go to the beach or cycling in the mountains in good weather.
7) How would you describe your farm to someone who has never seen it before?
My farm is a good place to work and grow as a person.
8 ) What gives you the most satisfaction in farming?
My greatest satisfaction in farming comes in knowing that my success as a grower is dependent largely on my team of employees.
9) How long have you been farming and how long has farming been in your family?
Farming has been in my family for 70 years and I personally have been it for 30 years.
10) Tell your story behind your favorite brand ‘label’ and why it was chosen.
“Bon Valley” is a label that belongs to our family. It contains my last name, a name that I bear with great pride.
11) If you could choose any other line of work what would that be and why?
If I had it to do over again, I would still be a farmer. If I had to choose any other line of work, I think I would be an engineer working on projects like bridges, dams or anything that has daily challenges.
12) What are your favorite places to visit in Mexico and why?
I love all my country, although because of its proximity and for the sake of convenience I prefer Altata beach.