COMGRO - Key Persons

Giovanni Massa had a little grocery store at what's now the corner of North Main and Massa Streets. One daughter eventually took over the grocery store, while both of his sons built their lives in Salinas Valley agriculture, as did their sons. His grandson, my father-in-law, was a grower looking to follow his father's advice to 'take care of the soil and the soil will take care of you' when he began making compost for his own fields. As his neighbors and colleagues saw his success, they asked him to make some for them as well, and a new part of the business evolved. That's when my husband rejoined the family business, which eventually split off becoming Comgro Soil Amendments. Our sons became the 5th generation in California agriculture. Starting in middle school hoeing weeds and building fences, they worked their way up just like generations before them, before moving on to follow their own dreams. John has become an expert in food safety, working with industry committees such as the Western Food Safety Summit, Center for Produce Safety, and the Hartnell College Ag Steering Committee, and volunteering his time with the Soledad High Ag Boosters and presenting at local Farm Days put on by Monterey County Ag Education. Agriculture isn't just what he does, it's who he is. Meanwhile, I've retired from teaching preschool to take over the office.