Veteran organic farmers describe strategies for success

Planning and prevention are the keys to success in organic crop production, according to three long-time organic farmers who shared triumphs and challenges during a seminar in Tulare.

The farmers, who participated in a grower panel on organic farming, said there are many strategies for avoiding pest, disease and weed problems in all types of organic crops.

Tom Willey of Madera has been an organic farmer since 1981 and is well-known in San Joaquin Valley organic circles. He produces 40 to 50 different vegetable crops on 75 acres and markets 85 percent of his production wholesale, mostly on the West Coast.

Willey, who also operates one of the largest community-supported agriculture operations in the valley with 800 customers, expressed enthusiasm about new research supporting organic practices that preserve natural fungi and endophytes that live on plants. These microorganisms help plants thrive and produce, he said.

Steve Bolderoff of S&A Farms grows grapes and almonds in the Madera area. In organic production for 10 years, Bolderoff said soil and leaf tests are vital to his operation. He stays on top of weed control using flame methods, and uses a French plow and disk to control winter weeds in his vineyards. These practices allow for a profitable operation, he said.

Malcolm Ricci with Bolthouse Farms of Bakersfield pointed out that successful organic farming takes considerably more planning ahead for potential challenges. Bolthouse Farms, known for organic carrot production, began planting organic crops in 2000.

Conventional farmers can treat with herbicides when a weed problem occurs, Ricci said, but with organic, growers must have workable strategies to keep weeds from becoming problems.

Besides weeds, soil pests and vertebrate pests can be obstacles to successful organic production. Willey said nutrition should be the primary control agent for pests and diseases. Biological controls can be introduced and do have some value, he said. He uses insectary strips in his fields to diminish aphid levels and has used lacewings to control leafhoppers in vegetable crops.

Leafhoppers are the No. 1 problem for Ricci. There are some products available to knock down populations, but lacewings do a better job of control, he said.

Crop rotations limit nematode problems at Bolthouse Farms, Ricci said. Bolthouse also uses compost on its carrot crops, depending on soil analysis.

Willey said he does have some nematode "hot spots" in certain fields and has used approved liquid products to control them. If soil biology is balanced, nematodes would not be a critical issue, he said.

There are no sprays or biological control for one of organic production's biggest obstacles to organic growers: paperwork.

"It's more burdensome now with food safety rules," Willey said. He said he is concerned there will be fewer new organic producers due to the increase in paperwork. The organic sector needs to create an atmosphere were young people can get into farming, he said.

Increased paperwork is a concern, Ricci agreed, saying it may become a barrier to growth.

Sponsored by the Organic Fertilizer Association of California and the California Association of Pest Control Advisors, the Tulare event was one of five organic production seminars scheduled for 2012. The remaining seminars will be held Nov. 8 in Salinas and Dec. 7 in Woodland.

For more information, visit the OFCA website at www.organicfertilizerassociation.org.

(Cecilia Parsons is a reporter in Ducor. She may be contacted at ceciliaparsons8@gmail.com.)