84-lfttelSt» Faming,' SaiMUiy,- FHrQffy* 4/T195 * Special Management When Growing Crops ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Farming Staff HERSHEY (Dauphin Co.) Organically grown products often can bring premium prices, whether at the grocery store or at a farm stand. But growers should keep in mind that to grow food “organi- cally" demands a rigorous Systran of management that focuses on obtaining natural fertilizer sour- ces, putting up with weeds, and controlling plant diseases. In fact, plant diseases are ‘ ‘probably the greatest problem for organic farmers." said Mark Domstreich, Branch Creek Farm, Perkasie. Domstreich grows organic crops that he markets to select restaurants in north Philadelphia. He spoke to about 100 growers and industry representatives on Tuesday at the 1995 Pennsylvania Vegetable Conference and Trade Show at the Hershey Con vention Center. Domstreich emphasized the importance of work ing closely with buyers and developing a clear marketing plan in order to have a successful organic fanning business. Organic farming basically involves the use of “non-chemical inputs,” said Domstreich. That means soil and crop inputs have to be entirely chemical-free, meaning the grower has to use no chemical-based herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers. Cultivation is the primary method of weed con trol. Domstreich said he has learned to put up with the weeds. “We’re used to seeing weeds,” he said. “We don’t go nuts if we see weeds.” He said when he looks at crops growing in other areas, in different operations, and sees no weeds, he begins to have “strange feelings” about the so called weed control being used. Also, cultivating weeds provides a mulch cover which is beneficial to soil moisture retention and for control of weeds in row. The primary source of nutrients is through a com post made up of municipal leaves and horse manure. He said that he collects, locally, about 50-75 tons of leaves every fall. At his Bucks County location, horse manure is readily available from farms, which he collects for the compost What is involved is a lot of “mixing and turning” to allow the microorgan isms in the compost to convert the material into nit rogen for the crops. Domstreich said he spends a great deal of time in the fields inspecting crops for insects. He looks at the locations where insect eggs hatch (underneath plants) and scouts for larvae. He said the ‘ ‘farmer’s footsteps” do the same job that the “sticky traps” do in counting bugs and in determining what type of insect control to use. HERBALIFE INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR //4 ynil. Bu»ln«»t a Opp^H t irtlt^r 717-626-5503 Attention:Pennsylvania Farmers can choose your JL disability insurance, but you can't choose your disability.. •If you become disabled you can't depend on savings, borrowing or the charity of relatives and friends. You need a reliable source of replacement income. Call today about DI-5 disability insurance from Business Men's Assurance Company of America. The Investment Center New Ringgold, PA 1 ■BOO-344-1041 As an organic crop grower, Domstreich makes use of soaps and other materials to work out insect problems. “The key is to examine the crop and to get on top of things in the early stages," he said. In many cases, the presence of worms, such as in organically grown sweet com, “does not put people off,” said Domstreich. As for plant diseases, that poses a mote difficult challenge. He said many organic fanners may have to learn to tolerate more problems and work on other solutions (such Here is something often overlooked... Only Patz gives you 45 yaara of experience with hook-and-aya chain, raaultlng In a chain ao good that othara are attempting to copy It. Many Patz Gutter Cleaner chains are still working well after more than 30 yean of use. After the Patz patent oh hook-and eye chain expired, some other com panies have attempted to copy the Patz chain. Some promote 10- and 12-year warranties on chain->-but they have not yet had 10 or 12 years of experience with hook-and-eye chain. What thouaanda of dairyman know: Patz chain la your boat buy| Affordable Financing from Patz Financial Services saoo ALEXANDRIA MAX ISENBERG 814-669-4027 BALLY LONGACRE ELECTRIC 215-845-2261 BEDFORD BENCE'S FARM EQUIP. 814-623-8601 BELLEFONTE LUCAS BARN EQ. 814-383-2806 BELLEVILLE MILLER-LAKE Inc. 717-935-2335 Necessary Organically as rotation) to deal with disease. Otherwise, organic growers will simply have to put up with more losses compared to more chemical-based products. Domstreich emphasized that the same skills, management, and pro duction techniques used by con ventional growers also apply with organic farming. But organic veg etable farming is more labor intensive than conventional veget able farming. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers