I feel knowledge is power and just because it has the label of being organic, we automatically think that it is safer. That could be true in some circumstances, but it all depends on the farm and farming practices.

The following is a letter written by the farm owners explaining their farming practices:

Hey Everyone, 

I have had a few of you asking if we are organic or use pesticides.  The simple answer to this is no we are not organic and yes, we do use pesticides, but I have found that once a consumer is educated on what we do and how we do it they quickly realize that they can feel confident that they are still eating and feeding their family a safe product.  

So, here is the long answer………

Fowers Fruit Ranch are conventional growers. They use conventional fertilizers meaning we do not us steer manure, human feces, or any liquid or solid animal fertilizer.  We use granulated fertilizers (Nitrogen) and foliar sprays (meaning fertilizers, nutrients that are sprayed on the trees during the growing season to promote healthy maturity of the fruit) Just like you and me our trees need certain vitamins, minerals and food to grow and promote the health of the tree.  We use Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash, Iron, Zinc, and Calcium.

We also use Integrated Pest Management this is a program that we use to make sure we are not applying Insecticides, Pesticides, Fungicides when they are not needed.  This is where it gets deep so just hear me out.  At least twice a week we scout the orchards beginning in early spring and ending when the last of the fruit is harvested, we hang sticky traps that have a lure inside the trap.  The lure has the scent of a female pest on it. So, for cherries we scout for Western Cherry Fruit Fly and Spotted Wing Drosophila, in peaches it is for Peach Twig Bore and the Greater Peach Tree Bore, Apples it is for Codling Moth (AKA worms in your apples), and Pears are for Codling Moth. 

Once our trap catches reach a certain threshold for the egg hatch cycle that is when it is time to apply a cover spray of pesticide or insecticide. These cover sprays can last up to all season or can only last 10 days depending on what type of pest we are targeting and material we choose to use. Many sprays that we use are organic pesticide…… Wait!?!?!? What?!?!?!  Did you say that there are organic sprays?  Yup, sure are and we use them whenever possible. We also scout all the orchards for Mites (predator and pest), fire blight, and powdery mildew. 

In the spring we hang what is called mating disruption in the trees to discourage pests like, Codling Moth, Peach Twig Borer, and the Greater Peach Tree Bore from mating or reproducing larvae which gets laid in or on the fruit.  

Fowers Fruit Ranch is Global G.A.P certified. Meaning we participate in a third-party audit that audits our farming practices every year.  We are required to keep a log of EVERYTHING! Some of the items that we are required to keep a log of are Irrigation records, water testing  (we test for E.coli, Coliform, etc. on all water sites), Pesticide records, why did we apply a pesticide, who recommended it, what day and time did we put it on what was the high and low temp on the day of application, who applied the chemical, what personal protective gear did they use, what chemical was applied, what is the active ingredient, what is the EPA registration #, when can we harvest after the product has been applied, how long does our workers have to wait before entering into the orchard again after the material has been applied. We also keep fertilizer application records, planting records, daily logs of what we did in the orchard during the day.  Also, how many ladders and picking buckets did we use and were they cleaned and sanitized, were the bins that we put the fruit in clean and sanitized before use? 

Part of this program is that we can have traceability and be able to recall any fruit that has an issue from each and every customer who purchases it.  

We also have to send our fruit off to an accredited lab that tests for over 122 pesticide residues. We also send samples off for testing for E.coli, Salmonella, Yeast and Mold. 

Our packing facility is also inspected by another 3rd party audit company called AIB. They inspect our facility to make sure that we are following GMP's or Good Manufacturing Practices and that we are producing a safe product. I have attached a copy of our most recent certificate of inspection as well.  

I want you to know that we take your health and safety very seriously, we try in every way to produce a great tasting, safe fruit that you can feel confident recommending to your customers. Please realize that when we do have to use pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides we try and take everything into account before doing so.  We, also as producers, do not want to waste revenue applying unneeded chemicals as well.  

I hope this helps you and your customers to understand what our company stands for and the great lengths we take to make sure your fruit is safe.  Please feel free to share this with your customers.  You are more than welcome to use all of it or part of it.  I know it was long and complicated but I feel knowledge is power and just because it has the label of being organic, we automatically think that it is safer. That could be true in some circumstances, but it all depends on the farm and farming practices.  My personal belief is that organic has become a marketing label for farms to make more money and in consumers' minds it makes them feel like they are getting a safer product.   

Thanks for all you do, 

Tami

Fowers Fruit Ranch