Farmer Lon Kelsey is not your typical far East County farmer. His operation encompasses only five acres. And because he's limited to this small plot of land he's learned to not only use it efficiently, but nurture it organically.

"We don't have a bad insect problem because we keep lots of ladybugs and other beneficial insects working to get rid of them," Kelsey said. He also grows buckwheat, which he says attracts the good insects needed to prey on the pests that like to eat his crops.

There's hardly a bare spot or unproductive area on the entire farm. Within its five-acre confines Kelsey grows a number of tomato varieties, in addition to squash, eggplant, peppers, onions, herbs, sunflowers and even some fruit trees, which he expects should grow into a sellable crop next year.

All of this produce is concentrated for sale in his new produce stand, located about a quarter of a mile south of Borden Junction on the Byron Highway.

Joyce Musielak of Discovery Bay recently stopped at the stand to buy some corn. She said, "It was delicious. I'll be coming back often."

With an ample supply of easy in and out parking, Kelsey is counting on being able to please folks like Musielak, as well as those who commute past his stand each day. As part of his sales effort, Kelsey is scheduled to participate in Brentwood's Farmers' Market beginning this month and he anticipates being able to keep his operation open year round.

"We're going to have produce available pretty much all the time," he said. "I'm planting crops that we can harvest in the winter months."

He also carries fine olive oil produced by local growers, premium home-grown eggs, and he even has fresh honey that he harvests from the bee hives that pollinate his crops.

A native of this area, 37-year-old Kelsey is a Liberty High School graduate and currently single. He credits his love of farming - especially organic farming - to the pest control business he once owned and operated.

"I found myself spending more time farming than killing pests," he admitted, "so I decided to start doing what I like to do." He sold his pest control business about three years ago and has been concentrating on developing his farm and produce operation since then.

"I guess you could say it's a labor of love," he said smiling. "I really get a kick out of watching things grow."

Kelsey is still experimenting with the farm's hours of operation, but hopes to keep his stand open from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and be closed Sunday and Monday.