Responsible Farming
It is a top priority to practice responsible & sustainable farming for our animals, land, environment, customers, associates and community.
Locally Grown Benefits
> Minimize transportation reducing CO2 emissions
> Fresher which improves nutrients, shelf life and flavor
> Safer food supply – the more steps between food source the table increase the chance of contaminations
> Supports the local economy by keeping money and jobs local
> Helps maintain farmland and green/open space in the community
> Able to know where food comes from, the farmer and their practices
Beyond Organics
In our current culture, people read or hear a headline, quote or concept and take it as fact without verification. Organics is a good example of good intent (and great marketing) but misleading results. Fertilizing organic crops with chicken or fish manure will allow organic certification without knowing what the chicken or fish was fed. We believe it is VERY important what they are fed because it has a direct effect on what comes out!
We go beyond the simple answers and make sure that AquaTerra Farm does the big and little things in the right ways. Below is some information about what we do.
Call or email us if you have additional questions about our practices.
Cattle Practices
> Pastures include open grazing and woodlands for a stress-free, healthy and optimal environment in stress-free environments
> Handling humanely throughout all life stages.
> Stock Piling Pastures which is the practice of allowing plant growth to accumulate in the field during the growing season for later grazing typically the late fall and winter. This is used to avoid the need to harvest, bale, gather and store hay which takes equipment, fuel and time.
> Stocking Rate (cattle head count per acre) is limited to promote stock piling, pest control, health and minimize stress.
> Polyculture pastures (multiple types of forage) which promotes cattle and environmental health
> Soil tests on pastures to accurately determine necessary soil amendments (no leaching)
> No-till seeding promotes soil health
> Flushed hydroponic solutions are used to fertilize pastures and grounds (no waste)
> 2-Week pasture rotation to break pest life cycle without using pesticides
> Catch ponds in pastures to promote healthy pastures and minimize erosion and leaching
> Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines
> Cattle handling facility using a design (by Temple Grandin) to minimize stress and maximize humane handling for the safety and health of the cattle and associates.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA / Greenhouses) Benefits
> Year round growing with environmental controls
> Cleaner environment
> Work in any weather
> Allows wider variety of crops
> Protection from pest and predators
> Grow without dangerous pesticides on typical commercial crops
> Allows organic pest management to be effective
Hydroponic Benefits
> Uses up to 20 times less water
> Significantly cleaner growing and harvesting
> Faster growth rate – seed to harvest
> Complete control over plant nutrition
> Efficient use of nutrients
> Fewer pests and diseases
> Reduced use of organic pesticides
> Better use of space and location
> No soil testing or management
> No weeds
General Practices
> Solar is currently utilized with plans to expand its use
> Composting is practiced and biodegradable products are purchased whenever possible for this practice.
> Sustainable land management (SLM) practices are implemented including control soil erosion, manage and enhance soil health, and integrate soil–crop–water management and agroforestry.
> Follow Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) which are principles for on-farm production and processes resulting in safe and healthy food products, while taking into account economic, social and environmental sustainability.