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Domitila Tapia understands the power of informed decisions. She and her husband, Jesús, are long-time farmers who run Mimi’s Organic Farms in Salinas, alongside their two daughters. As second- and third-generation agricultural workers, their deep family roots in Mexico shaped their commitment to organic farming as a way of life.
Over the years, Domitila worked with California FarmLink in various ways, including receiving a loan in 2021 that helped with planting and pre-harvest expenses during the early growth of her farm. In 2024, she returned to FarmLink for a different kind of support. When offered a lease for new farmland, Domitila turned to FarmLink’s Agreement-Building Services for guidance.
The lease was translated into Spanish and reviewed in detail. “I felt protected,” Domitila recalled, “I trusted that someone was on my side...”
With support from the ECWL team, she realized the agreement placed significant responsibility on her and offered little protection as a tenant. “They opened my eyes,” she said. “If I had signed, I could have lost everything, even the profits from my own harvest.”
After several meetings and guided negotiations, both she and the landholder agreed not to move forward with the lease.
“They helped me understand what I was signing, what I could lose, and what protections I deserved. Without that support, I could have ended up in a terrible situation. FarmLink stood by me.”
Agreements are more than paperwork; they can shape the future of a farm. With the right support, farmers like Domitila can protect what they’ve built and make decisions rooted in resilience, equity, and trust.
