Jeff Lundberg is a 4th generation farmer and the President/CEO of Babé Farms in Santa Maria, California. Babé Farms grows a number of specialties such as colorful root vegetables, specialty greens, a wide variety of baby lettuces, and organic kales year-round in the Santa Maria Valley. They are one of the country’s major suppliers of gourmet vegetables and ship to customers across the United States and Canada.
Jeff was born and raised in the Santa Maria Valley and has followed in his parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps. Growing up on the farm, Jeff’s surroundings were a major influence on him. Upon graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering Technology, Jeff returned to Santa Maria to continue working for the family business. He started working in fabrication, improving efficiencies within the company and gradually took on a variety of other roles, eventually becoming president and CEO.
Having grown up in this small community, Jeff likes to get involved in educating the youth about agriculture and helping non-profit organizations. Whether he is leading farm tours for 4-H kids, doing farm equipment demos at local schools, or barbecuing for sports & charity events, serving his community plays a huge role in his life. Jeff is also a current board member and treasurer for the Grower-Shipper Association of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, and donates fresh produce to food banks in both counties.
When away from the farm, Jeff enjoys traveling with his wife Kelli, boating, and restoring classic cars with his kids Eddie and Karli. Jeff takes his passion for the mechanical side of farming home with him and has inspired both his children to take up projects of their own.