Question 1

What is No Spray?

Accepted Answer

No Spray is even BETTER than Organic growing practices as even Organic growers can use many different sprays that are considered organic. These various organic chemicals can cause problems with beneficial insects and cause allergies in people. No spray is difficult and requires us to cover our crops with fine mesh to keep the bugs out and we hand weed daily to keep the weeds away. As we progress farther in our No Till practices this will decrease?

Question 2

What is No Till and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

No Till has many levels within its spectrum. We do have to till our soil when we break ground to loosen the soil and get good compost into the soil the first year. After that we tilth in new compost each year after that. Tilthing is only turning up the top inch or so. Tilling on a regular basis can cause damage to the bugs beneficial bacteria and fungi in the soil This breaks down the soil life and can cause stress on the plants. Big Ag combats this by adding chemical fertilizers into the soil each year. This erodes the top soil and breaks down any true life in the soil. Studies suggest we have lost 30% of earths top soil using these common practices. By adding composted organic matter back into the soil we are farming the soil and the soil feeds our plants.

Question 3

What is regenerative farming?

Accepted Answer

This is a practice where farmers and ranchers work very hard to leave the soil in better shape than when they received it. The way we have farmed for years in degrading our soil and microbiology of the soil. This is a short term gain. If we spend a little time and effort to keep our soil healthy, synthetic fertilizers are not needed and the life under soil can grow and will make sure our plants grow too. We see ourselves more as dirt farmers than produce farmers.

Question 4

Do you use fertilizer and if so, what kinds?

Accepted Answer

We use only Organic fertilizers. Most of our fertilizers are animal based but we try to use mostly kelp meal and fish fertilizer which is made from the trimmings of fish after butchering. Most of our nutrients come from Organic compost. We buy our compost from a local company that is OMRI certified. We use around 50 yards per year. That is roughly 25 tons! As time goes on we will use less and less compost to feed our soil.

Question 5

How do you control pests if you done use pesticides?

Accepted Answer

That is a great question and one we get all the time. We have a few methods. We know some trick to keep bugs away all together like sacrificial plants and deterrents. For those that we cant we will cover the crops with protection clothes which keeps them from accessing our produce all together. Lastly, sometimes we just let them have some. We plan extra so that some can be eaten.

Question 6

Do you use Organic seeds?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Mostly. We buy Organic whenever possible. Sometimes we cannot source an organic seed or it cant be bought in a large enough quantity. We also save our own seeds as much as possible which ensure seeds are of the highest quality.