SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Many people want to know about our
farming practices because of concern for food safety. Over the many
years we have been farming, we have always done our best to find the
most flavorful varieties to grow and use the best farming practices to
produce them. We have chosen not to certify our farm "organic," but a
descriptive term would be "sustainable." Our management practices
incorporate many techniques that are integral to any good organic farm.
We utilize compost on many of the acres we farm. We build organic matter
and improve soil tilth (good soil structure) through the use of compost,
minimum till, and cover crops. In lemons, we grow cover crops which
promote an insectary for beneficial insects and nematodes. On the 60
acres on which we grow crops for our markets, we have planted native
perennial and annual plants to attract beneficial insects. Selectively,
we release beneficial insects and monitor their presence in the field as
a weapon against the harmful ones. When we need to spray, we
utilize organically accepted and least toxic chemicals, generally at an
early stage in the plant's growth before it has developed edible parts
and when it is most vulnerable to destruction by harmful pests.
Many of the crops never require spraying. This approach to pest control
is best described as IPM, or Integrated Pest Management.
"Spraying" has developed a negative connotation. However, it is a tool used
by virtually all farmers, whether organic or not. Sometimes we foliar feed
(spray major and minor nutrient elements onto the leaf surface), which is a
low impact way of meeting a plant's nutritional needs. Organic growers may
only utilize biological and natural chemicals to kill the pests that attack
crops, though they are still classified as pesticides. Conventional growers
will use both natural and synthetic material to stop unusual infestations.
The environment determines whether conditions are favorable for the buildup
of disease or pests, or whether their natural enemies will keep them under
control. Sometimes releases of beneficial insects are ineffective because
conditions do not favor their survival.
Our goal is to maintain environmental balance and promote conditions
favoring beneficial insects. We use an insecticide when "bad" insects extend
beyond the natural balance, and then only when necessary to save the crop.
When we do use synthetic sprays, we have intentionally limited ourselves to
those which have not been implicated as potential carcinogens.
Holistic medicine is a favorable method for maintaining one's health.
However, the tools of modern medicine are invaluable when the health system
swings out of balance. That is the way we view the chemicals that are
available for the control of pests and disease; use them sparingly and only
when necessary to save the crop. It is more satisfying merely to observe the
inter-activity of growing crops rather than intervene. Compost, cover crops,
and rotation build soil health and microbial life. Fertilizers are used to
supplement plant nutrition that may not be totally met by the natural
reserves in the soil.
© 2006 Underwood Family Farms · ·
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