Our Farming Practices
From the very start we have striven to be an environmentally friendly & sustainable farm.
Have a look at some of the techniques we use to accomplish this…
Our Farming Practices
From the very start we have striven to be an environmentally friendly & sustainable farm.
Have a look at some of the techniques we use to accomplish this…
Solstice Berry Farm was started in 1994. Originally starting out by growing
hay and raising lamb, the farm evolved into growing saskatoon berries in 2003.
Over the years, we have continued to grow in a healthy, sustainable manner
with the hopes of keeping our farm going for future generations.
Below are some of the methods we use to move forward and produce a healthy,
environmentally safe product that we are proud of.
Environmental Farm Plan
Is a program initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada with the following objectives:
Help the agriculture sector better identify its impact on the environment and promote the growth of stewardship activities within the agriculture industry. The plan also supports the environmental objectives of the Agricultural Policy Framework by assuring Canadians that agriculture resources are being managed in a sustainable fashion and helping to brand Canada in the global market as a source of safe, high-quality food produced in an environmentally responsible manner.
Solstice Berry Farm is proud to have had a plan in place since 2006.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This is a whole-farm methodology by which we evaluate and manage the risk to our saskatoon crop, based on weather, disease and pests.
We utilize scouting and trapping methods, and weather monitoring to assess risk — if there is low to no risk, then we are good and no treatment is required.
If we do need a treatment, we apply only what is necessary using the correct application rates and by strictly observing any required pre-harvest intervals.
Cultural
Physical
Biological
Chemical
IPM Control Methods
Environmental Farm Plan
Is a program initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada with the following objectives:
Help the agriculture sector better identify its impact on the environment and promote the growth of stewardship activities within the agriculture industry. The plan also supports the environmental objectives of the Agricultural Policy Framework by assuring Canadians that agriculture resources are being managed in a sustainable fashion and helping to brand Canada in the global market as a source of safe, high-quality food produced in an environmentally responsible manner.
Solstice Berry Farm is proud to have had a plan in place since 2006.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This is a whole-farm methodology by which we evaluate and manage the risk to our saskatoon crop, based on weather, disease and pests.
We utilize scouting and trapping methods, and weather monitoring to assess risk — if there is low to no risk, then we are good and no treatment is required.
If we do need a treatment, we apply only what is necessary using the correct application rates and by strictly observing any required pre-harvest intervals.
Cultural
Physical
Biological
Chemical
IPM Control Methods
Cultural & Physical Practices
What are cultural and physical practices?
These are things that we did before we even planted the orchard and
things we continue to do on daily or annual basis that lessen the need for the use of pesticides, herbicides, etc.
By implementing these practices, it generally means we treat less than most other farms.
Here are some of the things we do:
Cultural
The layout of the rows in our orchard run north/south. This was done on purpose as this allows the sun to reach both sides of the row equally. This helps with more even ripening of the berries.
The orchard is generally sloped to the south giving us good drainage for both water and air. Saskatoons prefer well drained soil and the slope ensures that the excess water drains out. In the spring this is beneficial if there is a risk of frost as it helps to move the cold air down to the lowest area and out of the orchard, and in the hot summer months, it allows the hot air to move out of the orchard at night which helps the bushes conserve moisture.
Our rows are 18 feet apart. This allows for greater airflow through the orchard resulting in lower humidity, lower fungal levels and overall superior plant health. Also, our spectacular location in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains means we normally get steady breezes which help to minimize damp leaves and fruit and thereby reducing fungal disease pressures as well.
One of the things we do to cut down on chemical usage is to mow the grass in between our rows. This does three things: it helps to control weeds, reduce humidity, and makes the environment less hospitable for bugs and rodents. The added benefit is that it is ideal for our guests to walk through the orchard without getting dirty.
Cultural & Physical Practices
What are cultural and physical practices?
These are things that we did before we even planted the orchard and
things we continue to do on daily or annual basis that lessen the need for the use of pesticides, herbicides, etc.
By implementing these practices, it generally means we treat less than most other farms.
Here are some of the things we do:
Cultural
The layout of the rows in our orchard run north/south. This was done on purpose as this allows the sun to reach both sides of the row equally. This helps with more even ripening of the berries.
The orchard is generally sloped to the south giving us good drainage for both water and air. Saskatoons prefer well drained soil and the slope ensures that the excess water drains out. In the spring this is beneficial if there is a risk of frost as it helps to move the cold air down to the lowest area and out of the orchard, and in the hot summer months, it allows the hot air to move out of the orchard at night which helps the bushes conserve moisture.
Our rows are 18 feet apart. This allows for greater airflow through the orchard resulting in lower humidity, lower fungal levels and overall superior plant health. Also, our spectacular location in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains means we normally get steady breezes which help to minimize damp leaves and fruit and thereby reducing fungal disease pressures as well.
One of the things we do to cut down on chemical usage is to mow the grass in between our rows. This does three things: it helps to control weeds, reduce humidity, and makes the environment less hospitable for bugs and rodents. The added benefit is that it is ideal for our guests to walk through the orchard without getting dirty.
Physical
We use pine bark mulch to cover the ground at the base of the saskatoon bushes. This helps to greatly conserve moisture on our saskatoons which helps to ensure the bushes remain healthy in times of heat stress and/or drought.
We do not allow the bushes to sucker uncontrollably (as saskatoon bushes normally like to do). This allows for more air flow and healthier bushes.
We planted shelterbelt trees to help cut down the wind.
Other
We have been audited by Health Canada and received 100% score for our practices and our field records meet HACCP standards.
We now have full traceability for all of the fruit we harvest. This means we can trace every berry back to the day it was harvested, from what field and row it came from and which staff were working that day.
We aspire to be the best and we care because we eat this fruit straight from the bushes ourselves. We would never ask anyone to eat a berry we would not eat ourselves!
Physical
We use pine bark mulch to cover the ground at the base of the saskatoon bushes. This helps to greatly conserve moisture on our saskatoons which helps to ensure the bushes remain healthy in times of heat stress and/or drought.
We do not allow the bushes to sucker uncontrollably (as saskatoon bushes normally like to do). This allows for more air flow and healthier bushes.
We planted shelterbelt trees to help cut down the wind.
Other
We have been audited by Health Canada and received 100% score for our practices and our field records meet HACCP standards.
We now have full traceability for all of the fruit we harvest. This means we can trace every berry back to the day it was harvested, from what field and row it came from and which staff were working that day.
We aspire to be the best and we care because we eat this fruit straight from the bushes ourselves. We would never ask anyone to eat a berry we would not eat ourselves!