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By Ramona Frances - The Madera Tribune

Kevin Herman, the co-owner of Specialty Crop Company in Madera, has reason to be optimistic. The first picking of the large, attractive fruit successfully arrived into markets in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York earlier this season.

"The figs are typically purchased by the Mediterranean populations there," Herman said. "A surprising amount goes to Canada because of the French population there.

"Right now, there is no quality rating system for figs," he said. "We are trying to get a California state commission started and if we are successful in getting it started, we may have quality standards. Black mission figs today sell for $15 wholesale for 12, one-pint baskets.

"One of my goals is to have fresh figs in the market for eight to nine months of the year," Herman said.

To that end, Herman has planted 80 acres of the Brown Turkey variety of figs in the Imperial Valley. Figs ripen earlier in the Imperial Valley. Herman also has figs growing as far north as Planada. Planada is in Merced County toward Yosemite. "

"Figs growing there are for the late market," Herman said.

"Figs grow on relatively poor quality soil - soil not farmed by others," Herman said. "Figs don't ripen all at once. Fresh and dried fig varieties ripen over an extended period of time. When you have a heavier clay-type soil, it helps you get through a prolonged harvest."

Herman is mindful of the fact that figs do not require a vast amount of water. He said that figs typically thrive in Mediterranean climates, similar to what we have here. Countries suitable for figs are Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey. These regions have grown figs for centuries.

At an international symposium in Portugal last month, Herman, along with Kearny ag advisors, learned about methods of research from their European peers.

"They are a lot further along in variety development than we are," Herman said. "I would like to get my hands on some of those varieties."

Herman uses a simple ripening technique that helps the figs color up, which is brushing the eye of the fig with olive oil.

"They have done that in Italy for at least a century," Herman said. "You wonder who came up with the idea and whether or not it was an accidental discovery, someone touching a fig with olive oil on their hands."

Threats to the fig trees vary from year to year. Two pests that Herman watches for are the navel orange worm and dry fruit beetle. He is also challenged with tree die back.

Herman and his wife Diane also grow pistachios. Herman said his wife's preference is to live on a pistachio orchard rather than a fig orchard.

Ramona Frances Ramona Frances is a staff columnist, writer and photographer for the Madera Tribune. You may contact Ramona at 674.8134 ext. 222 or by e-mail ramona (at) maderatribune.net The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.