| Sustainable Agriculture at CROSSROAD FARM |
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"The real definition of sustainable agriculture is simple: Profitable farms that protect natural
resources and are valued by their communities."
-Vern Grubinger Director of the University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Crossroad Farm is committed to the goal of Sustainable Vegetable Production; “a productive and profitable agriculture that
protects natural resources and builds strong communities.” We have been developing and practicing methods of sustainable
farming for over 25 years. Our management practices aim at healthy, safe, non-polluting crops.
We take our responsibility as ecologically sound farmers very seriously; farming beyond our immediate short-term need to be
profitable and pay this year’s bills, in a continual pursuit to balance our practices against the backdrop of protecting the
environment, including water quality, human health, soil productivity and the local community. We focus on replenishing what
we take out of the soil and minimizing the impact that replenishment has on the world in which we live.
At Crossroad Farm, we practice minimal or no employment of insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides. Our extensive use of
preventative methods reduces the need for pesticides and many of our crops are grown without any sprays. Most of the
pesticides we do use are approved for organic production.
Our commitment to minimizing sprays is firm. We are also determined to maintain our prices at reasonable, competitive levels.
Our produce is not certified organic, however most crops are either unsprayed or produced with exclusively organic sprays. See
our produce list (below) for more information.
Our Sustainable Practices:
Management of Beneficial Organisms
This is a method of biological control through the use of naturally-occurring or introduced beneficial organisms to regulate or
suppress pest populations. Natural systems create equilibrium in the environment. Some insects that are harmless to our crops
will organically control pests, if we are mindful of maintaining this equilibrium. In our philosophy, the natural enemies of pests
that exist everywhere in nature should be preserved whenever possible.
Crop Rotation
Utilizing a detailed, long-term plan for rotating our crops between fields is another important method for preventing disease and
insect damage to our crops by frequently altering the habitat, type & timing of food supply available to pests.
Community Support
At Crossroad Farm, we are committed to
supplying a diverse selection of top-quality, locally
grown foods to our community. In addition to the
fruit and vegetables we grow, we also offer a
range of other, primarily locally produced seasonal
items including Wild Hill Organic blueberries, fresh
apples, our neighbor Pete’s maple syrup and
more! Also, we have started a Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program in 2008, a
rewarding and enriching way to develop and
strengthen our local community. We hire local
employees. Last season, 15 Thetford Academy
students and alumni were part of our crew!
Interested in joining our team? Check out our job
opportunities.
At Crossroad Farm, we are committed to
supplying a diverse selection of top-quality, locally
grown foods to our community. In addition to the
fruit and vegetables we grow, we also offer a
range of other, primarily locally produced seasonal
items including Wild Hill Organic blueberries, fresh
apples, our neighbor Pete’s maple syrup and
more! Also, we have started a Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program in 2008, a
rewarding and enriching way to develop and
strengthen our local community. We hire local
employees. Last season, 15 Thetford Academy
students and alumni were part of our crew!
Interested in joining our team? Check out our job
opportunities.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Coordinated use of pest and environmental information to design
and implement pest control methods that are economically,
environmentally and socially sound. IPM does not completely
eliminate the use of all pesticides, but it endeavors to minimize
their use while boosting crop return through the use of multiple,
complementary techniques.
Coordinated use of pest and environmental information to design
and implement pest control methods that are economically,
environmentally and socially sound. IPM does not completely
eliminate the use of all pesticides, but it endeavors to minimize
their use while boosting crop return through the use of multiple,
complementary techniques.
Scouting
The process of carefully inspecting a crop for
insects and diseases, both destructive and
beneficial, allows us to sustain acute
awareness of the condition of our crops and
to address any pest control concerns early,
for lower-impact management.
Threshholds
Using pesticides only if and when pest
population densities will cause significant
economic damage. We make a conscious
effort to choose pest control materials that
are relatively non-toxic to people with few
environmental side-effects, many of which
are approved for use in certified organic crop
production.
| Crop | Season | Unit | Spray |
| Arugula | Jun-Sep | lb | None |
| Asparagus | May-Jun | bunch | None |
| Basil | Jun-Sep | bunch | None |
| Beans | Jul-Sep | lb | None |
| Beet Greens | Jun-Sep | bunch | None |
| Beets | Jul-Oct | bunch/lb | None |
| Bok Choy | Jul-Sep | bunch | None |
| Broccoli | Jun-Oct | lb | organic |
| Brussels Sprouts | Sep-Oct | lb/pint | organic |
| Cabbage | Jul-Oct | head | organic |
| Carrots | Jun-Oct | bunch/lb | None |
| Cauliflower | Jul-Oct | head | organic |
| Chard | Aug-Sep | bunch | None |
| Chives | Jun-Aug | bunch | None |
| Cilantro | Jun-Sep | bunch | None |
| Corn, Sweet | Aug-Sep | pc/dozen | None |
| Corn, Decorative | Sep-Oct | bunch | IPM |
| Cucumbers | Jul-Sep | pc | IPM |
| Dill | Jun-Sep | bunch | None |
| Eggplant | Jul-Sep | pc | IPM |
| Fennel | Jul-Oct | pc | None |
| Flowers | Jul-Sep | bunch | None |
| Garlic | Aug-Oct | pc | None |
| Garlic Scapes | Jul-Sep | bunch | None |
| Gourds | Sep-Oct | pc | IPM |
| Green Onions | Jun-Sep | bunch | None |
| Kale | Jun-Oct | bunch | organic |
| Lazy Lettuce Mix | Jun-Oct | 10-oz bag | None |
| Leeks | Jul-Oct | bunch | None |
| Lettuce | Jun-Oct | head | None |
| Melons | Aug-Sep | lb | IPM |
| Mesclun | Jun-Oct | 6-oz bag | None |
| Mint | Jun-Oct | bunch | None |
| Onions | Aug-Oct | lb | None |
| Parsley | Jun-Oct | bunch | None |
| Patty Pan Squash | Jun-Sep | pc | IPM |
| Peas | Jun-Jul | lb | None |
| Peppers, Hot | Jul-Sep | pc | None |
| Peppers, Sweet | Jul-Sep | lb | None |
| Potatoes | Jul-Oct | lb | IPM |
| Pumpkins | Sep-Oct | lb | IPM |
| Radishes | Jun-Sep | bunch | None |
| Rhubarb | Jun-Jul | lb | None |
| Rosemary | Jun-Oct | bunch | None |
| Scallions | Jul-Sep | bunch | None |
| Spinach | Jun-Oct | 10-oz bag | None |
| Strawberries | Jun-Jul | qt | IPM |
| Summer Squash | Jun-Sep | lb | IPM |
| Tarragon | Jun-Sep | bunch | None |
| Thyme | Jun-Oct | bunch | None |
| Tomatoes | Jun-Sep | lb | IPM |
| Winter Squash | Sep-Oct | lb | IPM |
| Zucchini | Jun-Sep | lb | IPM |
Spray Practice Definitions: (see chart, left)
None: We never need to use any sprays on these crops.
Organic: These crops are treated only with sprays approved
for organic production.
IPM: (IPM stands for Integrated Pest Management) These
crops may receive a synthetic spray if necessary, which are
always selected with the lowest possible toxicity to humans.
Conventional: We don't grow any crops this way.
"Conventional" implies that the crop is grown without any
attempt to minimize pesticide use through organic methods.
(scroll down for complete list)
None: We never need to use any sprays on these crops.
Organic: These crops are treated only with sprays approved
for organic production.
IPM: (IPM stands for Integrated Pest Management) These
crops may receive a synthetic spray if necessary, which are
always selected with the lowest possible toxicity to humans.
Conventional: We don't grow any crops this way.
"Conventional" implies that the crop is grown without any
attempt to minimize pesticide use through organic methods.
(scroll down for complete list)
| Pest Management Practices and Crop Availability Schedule at Crossroad Farm |
Questions? Comments? Please email us! We're always happy for feedback. Tim & Janet Taylor 811 West Fairlee Road Fairlee, VT 05045 (802) 333-4455 |
Innovative Cultivation Techniques
We use no herbicides for almost all of our crops. Through
precise timing of tractor and hand cultivation methods, we can
control the weeds without chemicals; however, because hand
weeding is labor-intensive, it does factor in an additional cost.
We do use an herbicide on the strawberries for two reasons:
first, the plants grow slowly and the weeds grow quickly;
secondly, unlike many other crops, weed control in strawberries
must be exclusively by hand weeding which often costs up to
fifty times as much as an herbicide. We do NOT apply
herbicides to the strawberry plants while they are producing
berries.
We use no herbicides for almost all of our crops. Through
precise timing of tractor and hand cultivation methods, we can
control the weeds without chemicals; however, because hand
weeding is labor-intensive, it does factor in an additional cost.
We do use an herbicide on the strawberries for two reasons:
first, the plants grow slowly and the weeds grow quickly;
secondly, unlike many other crops, weed control in strawberries
must be exclusively by hand weeding which often costs up to
fifty times as much as an herbicide. We do NOT apply
herbicides to the strawberry plants while they are producing
berries.
Row Covers
Row covers modify the crop environment by providing a
barrier against insect damage as well as an insulating
layer which helps regulate moisture and temperature for
excellent, early yields.
Row covers modify the crop environment by providing a
barrier against insect damage as well as an insulating
layer which helps regulate moisture and temperature for
excellent, early yields.
Crops Diversity
We grow a wide variety of crops, which enables us to disrupt disease and pest
cycles without chemicals, as well as insulating us from the potential financial risk
of any particular crop failure.
We grow a wide variety of crops, which enables us to disrupt disease and pest
cycles without chemicals, as well as insulating us from the potential financial risk
of any particular crop failure.
Cultural Controls
These are modifications of the crop
production system. For example, we
use implementation of sanitation
practices inhibiting pest development,
such as reintegrating crop residue to the
soil immediately once harvesting is
finished. Through nutrient and irrigation
management, as well as alteration of
planting times or plant spacing, we are
able to optimize crop health while
severely limiting our use of chemicals.
These are modifications of the crop
production system. For example, we
use implementation of sanitation
practices inhibiting pest development,
such as reintegrating crop residue to the
soil immediately once harvesting is
finished. Through nutrient and irrigation
management, as well as alteration of
planting times or plant spacing, we are
able to optimize crop health while
severely limiting our use of chemicals.
Cover Crops & Green Manures
We use cover crops, grown between cash crop cycles, in order to reduce soil
erosion and water pollution. These crops also help maintain nutrients in the soil.
Green manures are crops grown to add nutrients, particularly nitrogen and organic
matter, to the soil, thus feeding future crops.
We use cover crops, grown between cash crop cycles, in order to reduce soil
erosion and water pollution. These crops also help maintain nutrients in the soil.
Green manures are crops grown to add nutrients, particularly nitrogen and organic
matter, to the soil, thus feeding future crops.