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C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 9 179 L&O, under which these Carmel artichokes were marketed—Odello groomed the 300 acres and planted the thistle plants he knew would thrive in that environment. "Artichokes need to grow within sound of the breakers," he is quoted as having said. His motto, one he passed on to his two sons, Bruno and Emilio, attests to the elder Odello's Old World work ethic: "If you are honest and work hard, the good Lord will fulfill your dreams." The family worked diligently and honorably, and the good Lord kept up his end of the deal. By 1953 the par tners had dispersed (some to grow ar tichokes in Castroville, the self-proclaimed "Ar tichoke Capital of the World") and the Odello family owned the farm outright; Bruno and Emilio had taken over the reins of management after World War II. According to a contemporar y Monter- ey County Herald stor y, this was now "the smoothly operating, ver y successful Odello Brothers ar tichoke ranch." Battista passed away in 1963, and the family kept churning out 'chokes, sending what was then a rare delicacy around the country. "Back then, ar tichokes were an aristocratic veg- etable," says Bruno's son John, who still makes his home within shouting distance of the for- mer family farm. "They were expensive and a luxury. During World War II, the government forced us and others to grow row crops instead. The family employed outside labor, "We had around 12 full time employees, plus more at harvest," Odello says. But this was still very much a family affair. "The whole family would help during harvest. Wives, daughters, Photo: Authur McEwen/Courtesy of the Odello Family Sisters-in-law Bruna (left) and Bella Odello operate a package making machine while family dog Tubby looks on. Their children are pictured on page 180.