Q&A: Brandon D'Imperio of Circle Rock Ranch

The 34-year-old, who was born and raised in LA, graduated from Le Cordon Blue in 2001 and worked his way through the kitchens of Patina, Bastide, Citrine, and the Roosevelt Hotel before drifting away from cooking and instead toward the land. D’Imperio says he wanted to gain a more thorough understanding of what food really is.

After traveling the world and learning from small farmers in Asia, Europe, and South America, he began building his “own food culture” like the ones he’d witnessed in his travels. After nine years and a number of moves, he and Jody Rollins settled on 10 acres where they raise 25 sheep for wool and meat, a dozen pigs, 100 laying hens, 30 turkeys, several goats, and two horses, along with growing various vegetables. They also have an orchard of cider trees used to make cider at their brewery (they also make beer), and are gearing up to launch a CSA and an agro-tourism bed and breakfast. Oh yeah, then there’s the foraging and fishing D’Imperio does as well. He’s obviously no slouch; and he definitely is a modern farmer.

Modern Farmer: Why do you consider yourself a modern farmer?

BD: I consider myself a modern farmer not by the machinery or techniques I use, but by the morals and ethics in which I abide by to uphold the integrity of the land and the quality of food I feed myself and my community.

MF: Why is it important to you to support local agriculture?

BD: The primary reason for me is to maintain a focus of building relationships with my community. What better way to do that then with food?

MF: If you could grow or raise any food or animal, what would it be?

BD: Honestly, I am already raising what I would like to most. That would be sheep. They are beautiful, gentle animals that offer so much, from wool to dairy to meat and pasture management.

MF: What’s your favorite vegetable?

BD: I don’t have a favorite vegetable. It is what is wrong with our food culture. People get stuck on one thing and are no longer able to adapt. All vegetables are my favorite, especially those that are fresh and in season.

MF: What advice do you have for other modern farmers?

BD: My advice to other farmers would be… Make sure you know what you are getting involved in… This is a lifestyle of commitment and integrity more than it is about growing a pretty product and making a dime. It’s about being a provider and a caretaker, a steward of the earth. It is most importantly about making good decisions and being available to see them through.

MF: Do you have a farming or agricultural hero? Why do you admire him or her?

BD: I don’t have a specific agricultural hero but rather I look up to the men and women as a whole that work to feed their communities. Everyone has something to offer and using a little bit of information from each person is what inspires me.

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