From Finance to Farming
How Coastal Moon Grows Berries with Purpose
By Matthew Beebe
At Coastal Moon Farm, the spring sunshine has been slow to arrive—but that hasn’t slowed down Darren Story and his dedicated team. Since co-founding the farm in 2015, Darren has been on a mission to grow berries that are as nourishing for people as they are for the planet.
Darren Story of Costal Moon Farms.
His path to farming wasn’t typical.
Darren worked in finance in San Francisco, in the high-pressure world of trading. It was in that fast-paced environment that his focus on plant-based diets and nutrition first took hold—not as a philosophy, but as a practical edge.
“I got really into plant-based diets and health because it was a competitive advantage in the trading pit,” Darren says. “From there, I learned about farming and agriculture, and how the way produce is grown matters for nutrition. I just got really passionate about it.”
That growing passion eventually led him to leave the financial sector and dedicate himself to ecological farming.
Garret Badano, Javier De Anda, Joseph Tampas of Coastal Moon.
Building a Strong Team & A Healthier System
Since its founding, Coastal Moon’s core team has remained remarkably stable. Brian, the main grower, and Javier, the blueberry supervisor, have been with the farm since the beginning, bringing years of hands-on experience. Garret started as an UCSC agroecology intern.
Joseph Tampas, is the farm’s fertility manager. For him, farming has always been about more than just growing food. “I’m never going to perfect farming—but I want to keep getting better, producing better crops and better nutrition,” he says.
Joseph is excited about a new addition to the team. Jonathan Zepeda is their dedicated blueberry grower. “We have a solid grower on our hands, It couldn’t have worked out any better. He will allow us to expand production.”
“We’ve been lucky to have people who really care about the work and have grown with the farm,” says Darren, reflecting on the team’s evolution. “They are an eclectic and dynamic bunch!” He says.
And then there are the bees. Quiet but critical, their pollination work stretches across Coastal Moon’s entire six-month growing season, as different blueberry varieties flower at different times. Their steady activity is essential to the farm’s success.
“That’s what motivates me—serving others and serving my planet.”
Changing Customer Base
Over the years, Coastal Moon’s relationships with buyers have evolved. In the early days, Whole Foods was a key partner, attracted to the farm’s commitment to local and sustainable practices. But after Amazon’s acquisition, purchasing became more centralized and less hands-on, prompting Coastal Moon to diversify its customer base.
Today, the farm works with a mix of regional distributors and retailers, including Good Eggs, Erewhon, and, more recently, Sprouts—a relationship that has grown stronger over time. Darren notes that Sprouts has “really evolved as a buyer,” becoming a valued partner for farms focused on quality.
Story explained the importance of community driven projects. “I’m really excited about Rootstock—educating consumers, knowing and supporting the farmer, and understanding that it matters how your food is grown.”
Flavor, Health, and Healing the Planet
At the heart of Coastal Moon’s mission is a simple belief: flavor and nutrition go hand in hand. Darren knows the superior taste of their berries is a direct result of the farm’s regenerative practices. When plants are grown in living, healthy soil, he explains, they reach their full genetic potential—expressed first through sweetness, aroma, and overall flavor, which are signs of deeper nutritional quality.
The connection between regenerative farming, health, and environmental restoration keeps Darren motivated, even through tough seasons. He sees the farm’s work as part of a larger effort to heal the planet by restoring soil health and reducing atmospheric carbon through better practices. “That’s what motivates me—serving others and serving my planet.”
Find Coastal Moon here on the Rootstock store.
This story also appears in the May 15 edition of the Rootstock Gazette
