Bees

A local company has maintained bees on our farm since 2001. These welcome guests are the prime pollinators for our crops. But they also pollinate other plants that are the food source for animals. So in effect, we’re helping the entire food chain. And we sell the honey in the store.

Drip Irrigation

In the past we used a lot of overhead irrigation. To optimize water use we now employ drip irrigation and smaller overhead sprinklers. Drip irrigation uses small plastic underground drip hose, bringing water straight to the root where it is needed, and in the amounts required. This reduces water runoff, leaching, and evaporation. Liquid fertilizer is also added to this water to feed the plant in the most efficient way.

Trellis System

In 2017 we established our first trellis system in an apple orchard. This system is a network of wires running through larger posts. The tree is tied to the wires and grows tall and narrow. Trees are planted much closer together allowing for more yield per acre. The structure of the tree also allows for more efficient use of sunlight and better coverage of foliar nutrients when applied. This grows a superior quality apple and reduces annual growing costs.

Haygrove Tunnels

These open-ended, fabric-covered structures combat disease by sheltering plants from rain. Plants can be grown in the soil or in pots. We have ten tunnels that cover 2.5 acres growing mainly strawberries and raspberries. Benefits include fewer required crop protectants and a longer harvest season.

Table Top Strawberries

Strawberries are grown in a coconut based substrate soil on troughs placed at chest height. This enables us to have more control over the water and fertilizer going into the plants, allowing us to grow healthier and happier plants. The higher height also make it easier and quicker for our employees to harvest the strawberries and they no longer have to deal with sore backs :)