Celebrating Earth Day at Apple Hill Growers™ Sustainable Farms
Farmers are the stewards of the land, and Earth Day reminds us of the vital connection between healthy soil, clean water, and sustainable farming practices that nurture both the land and the people it feeds. The worldwide event on April 22 is a reminder that we are all stewards of our environment.
On Earth Day, we honor not only the bounty of our lands but the responsibility we bear to protect them for future generations. The farmers of Apple Hill Growers™ embrace sustainable practices that ensure clean air, water, and thriving habitats while providing safe, affordable food for our communities. Many of our farms currently grow organically and have become certified while other farms are working to transition to organic and others are explore innovative sustainable farming techniques to reduce both the use of water and pesticides.
Here’s a look at all our farms:
- 24 Carrot Farms (Certified Organic)
- Drew Bean Farms (innovative sustainable farming techniques)
- Collina di Mela (Certified Organic)
- Edio Vineyards at Delfino Farms (in transition to organic)
- Fudge Factory Farm (Certified Organic)
- Grandpa’s Cellar (innovative sustainable farming techniques)
- Harris Family Farm (innovative sustainable farming techniques)
- Madroña Vineyards (innovative sustainable farming techniques)
- Patrick’s Berry Farm & Garden (innovative sustainable farming techniques)
- Rucksack Cellars (innovative sustainable farming techniques)
24 Carrot Farms uses cover crops to enhance soil fertility and replenish essential minerals. They also make their own compost. The latest addition to the farm is a large flock of laying hens. These chickens roam freely in designated areas of the farm and orchards, helping to control pests by hunting for bugs. In addition to providing natural fertilizer, they also produce fresh eggs for the farm. If you’re hoping to get some, be sure to arrive early on Thursdays—eggs often sell out within the first hour of opening!
The family behind Fudge Factory Farm has been farming since 1985. They are certified organic and have committed to organic growing, growing apples, raspberries, blueberries, and their other crops using sustainable growing practices. To reduce their environmental impact, they hand-pull weeds instead of spraying chemicals, use bug zappers that attract and eliminate pests at night, and repurpose cardboard boxes as tree trunk bands to give pests an alternative habitat. Additionally, chickens roam the orchard as natural bug eliminators, and they prioritize electric equipment whenever possible to improve air quality.
Edio Vineyard is in the process of moving the winery to organic certification. They don’t use any herbicides and use cover crops to naturally deliver nitrogen to the grapes. The farm is also home to an adorable flock of baby doll sheep who eat those cover crops and in turn create their own, low-emission fertilizer.
On your next visit, stop by one of our farms to learn more about how they are preserving the environment while providing first class produce and wine grapes for all to enjoy.
“Farmers are always learning and adapting their methods,” said Pam Harris, owner of Harris Family Farm and president of the Apple Hill Growers. “We are lucky for the close-knit collaboration among our Association’s many small family farms, which helps us all learn and support each other – not just for now but for the future.”
For more information and to see who’s open now please visit http://applehill.com/events and follow @applehillofficial on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-the-minute information and more on how Apple Hill Growers are using sustainable practices to be stewards of their land.