His parents said that Tom wanted to be a farmer from the day he was born in Kansas City, Missouri. When he turned five, they let him work at his father's produce stand. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Tom moved west in the early 70's and leased some land in Lake Elsinore to house his first produce stand. He did so well that the owner of the land decided to covet it for himself, and sent Tom packing. Driving home to Anaheim, slightly brokenhearted, but with his boundless energy, strong work ethic, and unwavering integrity still intact, he found an idyllic spot in Temescal Canyon, right below the Cleveland National Forest. He named his place Tom's Farms. The produce was fresh and the people were friendly..... just like back in Missouri. People came from miles away, and Tom's Farms became a favorite stop for weary travelers.

Tom eventually bought the land, and the place grew and grew. In 1974, Tom opened a 3,500 square foot produce stand. In 1977, a hamburger restaurant was added, and the opening of Interstate 15 in 1978 provided easy access for visiting tourists. Today, the property has expanded to include a wine and cheese shoppe, duck pond, country furniture store, and mexican restaurant. Construction is under way on the new Family Fun Center which will include a family sized train ride that runs under a covered bridge and an olde tyme carousel... sure to delight old and young alike. And, just like in the old days, the produce is still fresh and the people are still friendly. Tom wouldn't like it any other way.