For the past 24 years, we've been inviting friends, family and customers of Morris Grassfed to our annual Spring Field Day at our ranch in San Juan Bautista. What started as a casual get-together for friends interested in how we produced our grassfed beef gradually turned into an annual event including hundreds of people.

We provide the barbecued grassfed burgers and and friends bring their own side dishes, drinks and desserts. We start the day off with a brief introduction of our land management practices and the vaquero traditions of Joe's family (five generations of California cowboys) then we head to the hills for a walk on the ranch. People can see wildflowers, a pond bursting with baby frogs and watch our border collies move a herd of cattle.

It's a lot of fun, particularly for our customers with children who want to learn about how their hamburger was produced. We see it as a great way to connect city and suburban families with the country and educate consumers on the way real food is produced. It doesn't come from a grocery store and when done well, it can enhance and nurture the earth.

Click here to see some more photos of the day and a celebration of what San Benito County has to offer.