HISTORY OF THE PIZZA FARM
In 1991, Darren Schmall was busy tending to his family vineyards and farm service company. The last thing he needed was a new project to occupy his limited free time. The 26 yr. old did have time to complain about how “city folk” did not understand the importance of farming to a friend though, as most farmers do. That conversation ended in a challenge – “Why don’t you quit complaining and do something about it!” Not one to back down from a challenge, Darren contacted the local Farm Bureau office and offered to volunteer as a resource if any schools wanted a speaker about agriculture. It wasn’t long before the first call came in and Darren put together a presentation.
As he excitedly entered the classroom, Darren had no idea the next hour was going to change his life.
 His presentation told the story of agriculture – the hard work of farmers and farm workers to produce the food and fiber for an ever growing world. But as he gazed over the classroom, Darren could see the kids did not share his passion. As a matter of fact, they were bored to death! Some stared at the ceiling, while other drew very unflattering pictures of him on their desk. Desperate to regain their interest, Darren asked the class what their favorite food was. His idea was that if he could show them that hamburgers or ice cream originated on a farm, maybe he could capture their interest. Much to his surprise the overwhelming response to his question was PIZZA! Thinking fast on his feet, Darren asked students to name their favorite part of the pizza, knowing that all the ingredients came from the farm. Sauce came from tomatoes. Cheese came from the milk produced by cows. And pepperoni was a life long commitment from pigs. The class was now eager to talk about farming, as they realized they would not have their favorite food without a farmer. The Pizza Farm was born!
Soon the Farm Bureau was getting requests for the “Pizza Talk” and Darren was speaking to several schools a week. One conversation with an innovative teacher concluded that students need a place to see, touch, smell and taste this experience. As the wheels of his brain started to turn, Darren envisioned a place where students could visit that actually grew a pizza. The County Fairgrounds was chosen as a location and construction soon followed through the generous support of the community. Darren trademarked his idea, formed a non-profit organization to run it, recruited Dr. Jan Duke, a 1997 California Teacher of the Year, to write lesson plans, and hired a cartoonist to create a student activity book.
On March 20th, 1993 –National Agriculture Day – the first classroom toured the Pizza Farm. Darren led the tour as the students learned about wheat for the crust, tomatoes for sauce, dairy cows that provide milk to make cheese, pigs for pepperoni and much, much more. They were thrilled that the farm was actually shaped like a pizza, with all the ingredients growing or grazing in pie-shaped “slices”. Darren’s philosophy was that if he built it, they would come. And they did. Nearly 10,000 visitors a year from a seven county area, some schools traveling up to 2 hrs. to view this agricultural wonder.
Over the years, the Pizza Farm garnered enough media attention to wallpaper an office and awards came in like the Oscars. The Pizza Farm was a hit and it was making a difference by teaching children about agriculture. Not satisfied to rest on his laurels, Darren wanted to showcase more of agriculture and attract a broader range of visitors. In 2000, he then leased 15 acres from a walnut grower near Fresno, CA and moved the Pizza Farm. The new location, right next door to the 3rd largest school district in the State, offered him room to expand the Pizza Farm, add a cornfield maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals, wagon rides, etc.
Today the Pizza Farm at Cobb Ranch attracts nearly 100,000 visitors annually. Darren saw the need for ag education and the desire by “city folks” to connect with their rural heritage. As agri-tourism continues to grow in popularity, so does the Pizza Farm. Each year Darren is amazed how “his hobby that got out of hand” has grown into a thriving business. He now encourages and advises other farmers to follow their dreams at conferences all across North America.
When it comes to agriculture education . . . the Pizza Farm delivers!
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