Sustainable Agriculture: by definition must leave the land better than you found it. We use many of the practices found in organic as well as scientific technology to help grow crops.

IPM (Integrated Pest Management) reduces or eliminates the need for pesticides by monitoring good and bad insect populations.

Leaf analysis is also used to determine if any micronutrients are needed. For example, we take vitamins for micronutrients (Boron, Zinc, etc.), well blueberry bushes also need micronutrients for proper growth and taste.

Soil Fauna - We mulch with sawdust to increase the organic matter. With a high organic matter, the fungus has a symbiotic relationship with the blueberry roots and thereby helps to keep a dynamic and diverse soil fauna.

Terra - Our soil is very acidic and comes from previous ice ages. The last ice age that formed most of upstate New York went around our mountain leaving us with soil that is great for wild and cultivated blueberries.

Don't fight with nature, work with it to encourage good as well as bad insects and soil organisms; thereby keeping a healthy balance and with healthy and happy plants, you are better able to fight off pests and disease. The best analogy is to compare them to Vidalia onions grown in Georgia with a special soil and microclimate. The onions, like our blueberries, end up having a superior taste and flavor. Try one and find out for yourself!

To learn more about our farm and blueberry growing methods, stop in during our U-Pick hours!