How Our Crops Are Raised

We do use some pesticides to prevent insect damage and crop disease.  But we wait as long as possible and only treat crops if absolutely necessary.

We pay strict attention to the re-entry and pre-harvest intervals set forth by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  Re-entry is the time period required after application and before re-entering the field.  Pre-harvest is the time period required after application and before picking.  Chemical manufacturers provide recommended intervals for each of their products.  The Ohio Department of Agriculture also provides recommended intervals that are usually a little longer than the manufacturer recommendations.  We lengthen the intervals set forth by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  This protects us, our employees, and our customers.

We do not treat all of our crops with pesticides so if you are curious feel free to ask.

If we do treat a crop with a pesticide and the required interval has not passed, we will direct you away from that area at the stand and tell you when you can return to pick that crop. If we advise you to not pick a crop that has been treated, and you still pick those crops, they will be confiscated at the stand.

We do fertilize the fields prior to planting, but we almost never apply fertilizer after planting.  We never use manure as a fertilizer.  We are uncomfortable with the pathogen risk associated with the use of manure.

We use as few chemicals as possible to remain safe as well as keep our costs low.  If we have no choice but to treat a crop to protect it from severe damage or disease, we will do so in a safe manner.  After all, we care about our own health as well as yours.