Eric grew up in the Pajaro Valley ag community, working on his grandparent’s fruit ranch, making boxes for Sombrailo Containers and loading lettuce trucks for Crosetti farms. After high school, he attended Cal Poly, graduating with a BS in Sociology and a teaching credential; Taught in Templeton schools and coached high school tennis. He earned a real estate broker’s license, owned and operated several RE franchises and developed a few housing projects. But, spent the last 16 years as Corporate Broker/Asset Manager for People’s Self-Help Housing. In 2002, not busy enough he purchased 81 acres and developed Clark Valley Organic Farm and Horse Boarding with his wife, Dana Tryde. Today, they live on 10 acres in the Pozo area raising sheep, horses and managing a friend’s 1200 acre ranch adjacent to Margarita Lake. He also volunteers as former President and Board member of the SLO Food Co-op.