- (209) 000-0000
- Linden, CA
To produce health food sustainably using regenerative farming practices.
We believe “healthier soil equals healthier trees equal healthier food.”
Michael Machado is the third-generation to farm our land. He has helped steer the farm through market challenges and has worked with his father, sons and brother, Greg, in the transition from row corps to orchards. In addition to farming, Mike served in the Vietnam War. He served in both the California State Assembly and Senate where he was an advocate for California agriculture and water policy.
“Agriculture is evolving and we must evolve with it to survive and be willing to embrace change.”
Diana Machado, now co-owns Machado Family Farms with her husband Mike, has been active in her community as a champion for the arts and schools. Diana and Mike raised three children together. Diana was very involved with her children in 4-H and FFA during their school years. A graduate of San Jose State, she brings marketing and bookkeeping talents to the farm and brought the farm into the computer age. She also served for many years on the Linden Unified School Board. These days, she is active in her grandchildren’s lives and still helps out in the farm office.
“The farm has been an integral part of my life.”
Melissa represents the fourth-generation of Machado Family Farms. She handles employee benefits, social media and marketing. “I’m the visionary strategic planner,” said Melissa, who had a career with Sutter Health, before moving back with her family to be the fourth generation working the farm. “When we create goals, I break it down into an action plan.” She also is an entrepreneur, operating One Body Whole Health in a state-of-the art gym on the farm where she also offers nutrition coaching and, like her mom, raises sheep with her children as a 4-H sheep leader. Her and her husband Drew, who met as students at UC Davis, are parents to Keenan and Mirella, and make a great team on the farm.
“When we create goals, I break it down into an action plan.”
As operations manager, Drew is focused on regenerative farming, which has environmental, economic and health benefits. He runs the walnut hulling and drying operations. Regenerative practices that Drew has implemented in the orchards, such as sheep grazing and cover crops has led to improved soil health and a reduced need for pesticides. “Everything should be intentional,” he said of Machado Family Farms’ mission to grow healthier food. “If I’m not going to feed it to my kids, I’m not going to ship it off for someone else to feed their children.” Drew worked with the California Public Utilities as an ombudsman to the agricultural industry before joining Machado Family Farms.
"If I'm not going to feed it to my kids, I'm not going to ship it off for someone else to feed their children."
Our great-grandfather came from the Azores in 1906 with a simple purpose: to care for the land. Today, we honor that legacy by farming regeneratively—using sheep, cover crops, and soil health to grow food we are proud to feed our children and yours.