Thank You and Hello
You know how sometimes something just “clicks”? How it connects with you on all levels and, well, just fills you with happiness and purpose? We felt that five years ago when we decided to take over Edible Ojai & Ventura County from owners Jane Handel and Claud Mann. We were honored to carry on the longtime legacy of top-quality local journalism that began with the magazine’s founding in 2002. We loved uncovering the stories that exemplified our county’s food, drink and ag culture, and doing it in a way that would help a visitor immediately understand our community.
We experienced the same “click” when our contributing writer Tami Chu expressed interest in acquiring the publication with her husband, Tony. As a holistic nutritionist, organic gardener, cook, mom and teacher, Tami is “Edible” through and through. From our first phone conversation talking about her rewilding article (Summer 2018 issue) to this issue you have in your hands, it has “clicked” with Tami.
We can’t thank the community enough for trusting us with your stories. Sharing in your aha! moments has been an honor. So has tasting the fruits of your labors and laughing and crying with you. As a community, we trumpeted Ventura County’s countless attributes to celebrate, season by season. For that we are grateful.
We are so proud to have Tami and Tony take the helm of Edible Ojai & Ventura County. We know that under their passionate care, the magazine will continue to flourish. We’ll still be around and look forward to bumping into you at our county’s farmers’ markets, businesses and events.
With gratitude,
Ron and Sarene Wallace
The first time I picked up an Edible magazine I knew there was something different about it. From the finish on the pages and the impactful local stories, to the advertisements that seemed to be written directly to me, this was a magazine that stood out from the rest. When I was later invited to contribute a story to Edible Ojai & Ventura County, I was delighted! Here was a chance to write for a publication whose principles truly aligned with my own—the celebration of local food and farmers, the commitment to sustainable sourcing and practices, the DIY experimentation and the solid journalistic integrity.
Through a series of quite fortunate events over the course of the last year, I now find myself on the other side of the editor’s desk, realizing both the joys and the challenges of having the final say. I am grateful for the opportunity, the mentorship and support of Ron and Sarene, and for you, the community.
Watching this garden issue grow and develop has been an exhilarating experience. As you read it, you’ll see a little bit of me in these pages; more than that, I hope you’ll see a bit of you. Because just like in a well-developed garden (and in nature), nothing grows alone.
I look forward to growing toward an exciting future with you.
Happy gardening,
Tami Chu
Publisher & Editor
“In nature, nothing grows alone.”
—Rachel Carson, environmental pioneer
