While traditional family-run farms are becoming more and more scarce, Webb Ranch and family farm continues to grow and thrive off Alpine Road, near Interstate 280.
Gary Webb, vice president of Webb Ranch, says his family’s farming tradition began in 1880, when George Webb rode from Texas to California to start his own ranch. In 1922, the family leased 300 acres from Stanford University at the present-day location, 2720 Alpine Road.
Management of the ranch was turned over to Stanley Webb in 1958, according to the Webb Ranch Web site. His son, Gary Webb, took over in 1980 and has remained in charge of management ever since.
Currently, there are about 17 Webb family members living on the ranch. In addition, about 30 farm workers live on-site, said Mr. Webb.
“My family loves living on a ranch,” he said. “It is a great setting, and the commute to work is literally 100 feet everyday. It is a beautiful place to come home to each night.”
Mr. Webb, who’s been married for 26 years, added that the lifestyle is harder on the in-laws because they are less accustomed to the lack of privacy one has on a farm.
In recent years, Mr. Webb instigated various changes to ensure that his farm would remain competitive in the agricultural field.
“From now on, all of our crops will be organically grown,” he said. “I also have other local farmers deliver their crops to the ranch, so that I have plenty of food to sell at our farmer’s market.”
The farmer’s market at Webb Ranch, located 200 yards east of I-280, is open seven days a week, and sells produce grown locally, he said.
