We have a new website! Check it out here: highdesertproduceco.com
You can get more info on our first official CSA season, where we will be selling directly to public and other happenings. Cheers!
Kim & Charlie
Friday, April 10, 2015
Sunday, August 3, 2014
August!!
Wowzers! The summer is cruising by. The garden space and corn field have been blowing up! We have been selling our produce at the Historic Wheeler Farm farmers market on Sundays 9-2. During this time we have encountered a lot of questions directed to the foundation of High Desert Produce and the quality and practice of our farm. This post is to clear up some of the questions that we have been asked almost every market thus far.
Are we certified organic?
Do we follow organic practices, if so what does that look like?
If not, do we use any chemicals/pesticides/herbicides and what are they?
So I'm going to break it down for everyone. One of the most important aspects of our company is the ability to be transparent and provide clear information on our farming practices.
"Simply stated, organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation."
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certified inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too." *
There are a few issues we have with the term "certified organic". There are a lot of hoops, fees and government paperwork that has to be completed to say we are certified organic. None of which actually ensure that a farm/supplier is actually following an all organic practice. There are now some synthetic non organic fertilizers being approved by the USDA for use as "organic" too. So does the term organic actually mean anything any more? Organic has become a trademark name, one that does not hold merit and is used to sucker you in to buy potentially pesticide impregnated foods posing as organic and healthy.
Ask your local farmer or vendor at the markets what their practices are. If they advertise as organic, what does that look like on their farm?
By definition, according to the USDA, High Desert Produce is not certified organic. However we consider our company/farm as best practice. By this I mean we try our hardest, given the land, surroundings, city ordinances, morals, hopes and dreams to farm the best darn food we can!! We always strive to follow organic practices such as no use of herbicides or pesticides, no use of genetically modified seeds that we know of (this might need another chapter), lots of elbow grease and sweat. We use beneficial plants and insects to control other pests along with the use of diatomaceous earth (DE) for slug and earwig issues, fish emulsion, Turboganic (http://www.turbomygarden.com) and heaps of fruit and veggie pulp from Blue Star Juice and Coffee (SLC, UT).
We have also been experimenting with spinosad as an insecticide. Spinosad, was discovered from soil in an abandoned rum distillery in 1982. Produced by fermentation, spinosad can be used on outdoor ornamentals, lawns, vegetables and fruit trees to control caterpillars, thrips, leaf miners, borers, and fruit flies. Though said to be used in organic food production, we are still looking for other ways to help control these pests.
We hope to see you next week at the market.
Cheers!
Charlie and Kim
* http://www.organic.org/home/faq
Wowzers! The summer is cruising by. The garden space and corn field have been blowing up! We have been selling our produce at the Historic Wheeler Farm farmers market on Sundays 9-2. During this time we have encountered a lot of questions directed to the foundation of High Desert Produce and the quality and practice of our farm. This post is to clear up some of the questions that we have been asked almost every market thus far.
Are we certified organic?
Do we follow organic practices, if so what does that look like?
If not, do we use any chemicals/pesticides/herbicides and what are they?
So I'm going to break it down for everyone. One of the most important aspects of our company is the ability to be transparent and provide clear information on our farming practices.
"Simply stated, organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation."
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certified inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too." *
There are a few issues we have with the term "certified organic". There are a lot of hoops, fees and government paperwork that has to be completed to say we are certified organic. None of which actually ensure that a farm/supplier is actually following an all organic practice. There are now some synthetic non organic fertilizers being approved by the USDA for use as "organic" too. So does the term organic actually mean anything any more? Organic has become a trademark name, one that does not hold merit and is used to sucker you in to buy potentially pesticide impregnated foods posing as organic and healthy.
Ask your local farmer or vendor at the markets what their practices are. If they advertise as organic, what does that look like on their farm?
By definition, according to the USDA, High Desert Produce is not certified organic. However we consider our company/farm as best practice. By this I mean we try our hardest, given the land, surroundings, city ordinances, morals, hopes and dreams to farm the best darn food we can!! We always strive to follow organic practices such as no use of herbicides or pesticides, no use of genetically modified seeds that we know of (this might need another chapter), lots of elbow grease and sweat. We use beneficial plants and insects to control other pests along with the use of diatomaceous earth (DE) for slug and earwig issues, fish emulsion, Turboganic (http://www.turbomygarden.com) and heaps of fruit and veggie pulp from Blue Star Juice and Coffee (SLC, UT).
We have also been experimenting with spinosad as an insecticide. Spinosad, was discovered from soil in an abandoned rum distillery in 1982. Produced by fermentation, spinosad can be used on outdoor ornamentals, lawns, vegetables and fruit trees to control caterpillars, thrips, leaf miners, borers, and fruit flies. Though said to be used in organic food production, we are still looking for other ways to help control these pests.
We encourage anyone with questions to please ask us. We can be reached on our facebook page @ facebook.com/highdesertproduce, in person at the Wheeler Farm farmers market sundays 9 am - 2 or highdesertproduceco@gmail.com.
Bottom line, ask questions, advocate for yourself and your health and the future of your food. Farming is tangible and challenging. It comes with a lot of blood, sweat and tears, especially when trying to brand the local, fresh, chemical free label on its sleeve. So ask your local farmer what practices they use. You deserve to know!We hope to see you next week at the market.
Cheers!
Charlie and Kim
* http://www.organic.org/home/faq
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| Transporting bees to higher elevation and more wild flowers! |
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| Bees new home in Oakley, Utah until winter |
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| Wheeler farm farmers market |
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| tomatoes blowing up!! and artichokes to the left |
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| Kim standing ,her back to the hops, and looking down at the string beans! |
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
And were back!
What a crazy couple months! I definitely thought i would have more time/ energy to keep this blog updated. For anyone actually reading this stuff , i am sorry for the huge delay in material!
Finally our seeder is up and running as of late April, note to self leaving any corn seed or seed in general in the hoppers causes unwanted issues. The seeds if moist will ferment and swell leading to jamming or plugging up the seed disc not allowing the seed to properly be distributed. ( always thoroughly clean out and re grease everything on seeder and equipment at the end of season)
Since that debacle we now have four crops of corn (roughly 5 acres) in the ground and growing, all about a week to two weeks apart. We have began our wheeler farm farmers market excursion as of Sunday June 1, and will continue to be there every Sunday until the last week in October. We have been selling our spinach tasty smooth and Tyee varieties which have been amazing in terms of yield and slow bolt properties. We have also been selling our arugula, kale ,Green onions, and assorted lettuces. Also last Sunday our purple Pak Choy was ready to harvest, ( pics following post) this coming Sunday the 22 most of our broccoli and Gonzales cabbages will be ready for market!
Our red onions, red bunching onions, carrots, beets , and radishes are starting to shoulder! a couple more weeks and they will be ready to harvest also. Trellising has been built for our three rows of tomato's and some experimental hops. Tomato varieties include ,sun sugar, celebrity, pineapple heirloom ,San marzano, black krim, roma, and hillbilly just to name a few.
Bush beans have been sown and are already popping up! For now we are just checking all of plants for pest damage , water content, and appropriately addressing issues as they come up. We have been using food grade diatomaceous earth to keep slugs and earwigs from munching all of our goodies. We have found going out at night with a flashlight or head lamp and inspecting your veggies will usually shed some light on that illusive bug or critter that has been feasting on your leaves and stems.
Soon we will begin planning our mid summer to fall crop schedule!
Finally our seeder is up and running as of late April, note to self leaving any corn seed or seed in general in the hoppers causes unwanted issues. The seeds if moist will ferment and swell leading to jamming or plugging up the seed disc not allowing the seed to properly be distributed. ( always thoroughly clean out and re grease everything on seeder and equipment at the end of season)
Since that debacle we now have four crops of corn (roughly 5 acres) in the ground and growing, all about a week to two weeks apart. We have began our wheeler farm farmers market excursion as of Sunday June 1, and will continue to be there every Sunday until the last week in October. We have been selling our spinach tasty smooth and Tyee varieties which have been amazing in terms of yield and slow bolt properties. We have also been selling our arugula, kale ,Green onions, and assorted lettuces. Also last Sunday our purple Pak Choy was ready to harvest, ( pics following post) this coming Sunday the 22 most of our broccoli and Gonzales cabbages will be ready for market!
Our red onions, red bunching onions, carrots, beets , and radishes are starting to shoulder! a couple more weeks and they will be ready to harvest also. Trellising has been built for our three rows of tomato's and some experimental hops. Tomato varieties include ,sun sugar, celebrity, pineapple heirloom ,San marzano, black krim, roma, and hillbilly just to name a few.
Bush beans have been sown and are already popping up! For now we are just checking all of plants for pest damage , water content, and appropriately addressing issues as they come up. We have been using food grade diatomaceous earth to keep slugs and earwigs from munching all of our goodies. We have found going out at night with a flashlight or head lamp and inspecting your veggies will usually shed some light on that illusive bug or critter that has been feasting on your leaves and stems.
Soon we will begin planning our mid summer to fall crop schedule!
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| Wheeler Farm farmers market 1st Sunday! |
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| Tim Dwyer(left) and Charlie (right) celebrating after constructing the large hops trellis |
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| Purple Pok Choy |
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| Gonzales cabbage fully grown, white stuff is food grade diatomaceous earth |
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| Zeeny hiding behind the huge broccoli |
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| First tomato's of the season! |
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