Crop Protection and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
All our crops are certified organic
We use non-chemical IPM practices – crop rotation, build soil to increase plant pest resistance, use pest resistant seed varieties
We provide an environment for beneficial insects like syrphid flies, lacewings, big-eyed bugs and lady bugs
Economic Viability
We watch the triple bottom line - People, Planet and Profit
We periodically evaluate & update long-term business plan
We respond to changes in economic, marketplace & technology conditions
We invest in new technologies to improve efficiencies for harvest & irrigation – custom designed harvest equipment & permanent set irrigation system to reduce labor, variable speed drive pump to save energy costs
Ecosystems & Biodiversity
We take a holistic approach to farming, California Certified Organic Farmer (CCOF)
We build and preserve soil to sustain nutrients via crop rotation, compost, cover cropping – encourages beneficial microbes & organisms (like worms!)
We preserve non-farmed habitat to promote biodiversity
Energy Management
We are always looking for opportunities to reduce our use of non-renewable fuels with energy efficient tractors and implements
We perform regular equipment maintenance for peak performance & fuel efficiency
We have installed electric irrigation pumps with variable speed drive to reduce energy use
We monitor our electricity use & employ practices that reduce energy and costs where possible
Fertilizer Management
Compost, cover cropping and only organic fertilizers (fish emulsion, chicken pellets) are used to provide slow release of nutrients & build soil organic matter
Soil & water testing helps us to develop an individual crop fertilizer strategy by understanding what nutrients are already present
Food Safety
Committed to producing the safest food possible and maintaining a culture of food safety throughout our operation
Food Safety plan updated annually by Director of Food Safety
Regular internal & external third-party program audits
Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement verified for all our produce
Social Accountability
Our employee wages & benefits exceed Western Growers Association industry averages
We maintain a fair, friendly & pleasant work environment
We conduct job specific training, weekly on-site health & safety education
We encourage community volunteer work & donate produce for local fundraisers
Our managers promote benefits of organic produce at local schools and host farm tours to show students where their food comes from
Soil Management and Conservation
We are focused on building soils - healthy soils promote healthy plants and a healthy environment (& less crop protection materials)
We increase water infiltration and reduce erosion through practices that build organic matter and reduce compaction - compost, cover cropping, minimum tillage, GPS guided tractors and deep ripping only in the furrows
We conduct annual advanced laboratory testing to monitor soil health
Material Management and Waste Reduction
We have implemented a company-wide recycling program in 2014
We have set a goal to achieve Zero Waste by 2017
We conducted a waste audit to establish a baseline to measure improvement over time
We have implemented training and documented a standard operating procedure for recycling
We have installed signage and accessible recycling receptacles
We are monitoring and documenting program progress
Water Management
Water is a precious resource and we have implemented practices and programs to conserve the amount of water we use and protect the quality of water leaving our fields
Our permanent set sprinkler system allows us to irrigate parts of our fields separately - applying water only where it is needed