These are some of the questions you may want to consider asking your farmer.
Consumers highly value knowing the quality of the food they eat, and they like to know where their food is grown. For these reasons, people like to establish strong relationships with the farmers who grow and harvest their produce. Before deciding to work with a farmer, there are a few questions people may want to ask them. These are some of the questions you may want to consider asking your farmer.
What Kinds of Pesticides and Sprays are Used?
Farmers need to be sure that their farming practices abide by the restrictions that vendors have in place. To be sure that the produce will be ok for distribution, you should ask your farmer what pesticides and synthetic sprays they use when growing their produce.
Organic produce is often what you’re hoping your farmers grow because it usually has fewer heavy metals and pesticides while also having more antioxidants.
Do You Have Any Pest Control Measures Put in Place? How Often Do You Spray Your Produce?
Depending on the farmer, the frequency at which they apply pesticides will vary. Some farmers will apply pesticides at regular intervals, while others may wait for the start of a new growing season. There are other farmers who might only apply pesticides when they have infestations. Since pest control is a very big part of farming, you should make it a goal to understand what pest control procedures your farmer follows.
On top of the frequency at which pesticides are applied, there are other ways a farmer can prepare for pests. Some choose pest-resistant crops. Others provide a fitting environment to lure in beneficial insects that deal with the pests.
What Type of Soil Does Your Farmer Use?
Produce gets nutrients via the soil in which it is grown, meaning the quality of soil will have a direct impact on the produce that is ultimately harvested. Fertile soil will have plenty of organisms inside of it that help break down matter and make it richer in nutrients. Make sure your farmer understands what must be done to create soil that is nourishing to the crops.
Does Your Farmer Have Certifications?
There’s nothing wrong with asking your farmer whether or not they hold any certifications. While certifications aren’t everything in the world of farming, they certainly hold merit and establish credibility when farmers have them. It’s no deal-breaker if a farmer doesn’t have certifications, but it’s often much safer to go with one who has certificates if possible.
Baywater Farms Has The Right Produce For You
Baywater Farms is a family-owned and operated farm servicing Baltimore, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware beaches, and the Eastern Shore. We are capable of meeting the demands of your produce distributor, restaurant produce supplier, CSA produce supplier, or wholesale produce supplier while maintaining the integrity and character of a small farm. When you work with Baywater Farms, you work with an experienced, ethical, and local farm dedicated to providing the highest-quality heirloom produce.