Joshua Plack

At Wine Creek Farm we believe in creating human systems that work with nature in symbiosis. This means focusing on the overall health of the ecosystems across the farm and beyond, as well as utilizing Bio-Intensive and sustainable growing practices in our areas of production. This also means having a devotion to increasing soil health in and around our fields, as well as building beneficial Insect populations.

We use organic naturally derived soil amendments including: bone meal, blood meal, poultry feather meal, lime, green sand and rock phosphate, kelp meal, bat and seabird guano & fish emulsions. In addition to these we also use composted manure from animals raised on our farm including; sheep, & chicken. Most important are the biological interactions and minerals that make up a healthy soil matrix for our crops are already in the soil, or come from composted food/animal waste and forest litter
We do not use synthetic pesticides. We do use natural and biological pest control by use of companion plantings to ward off potential infestations, trap crops to lure them away, and others to bring in beneficial insects/predatory insects. We also periodically release these beneficial insects as well. Then we turn to the use of live micro-organisms such as Baccillis thuringensis, B. subtilis, and Tricoderma hazarium, to actively prevent pests and disease, as well as symbiotic mycorrhizae (Fungus extending plants reach for water and nutrients) which bolster plant health and vigor.
At Harvest: We start by using clean and disinfected receptacles and tools before each harvest. Typically we harvest the day of or evening before a market. After collection we hand rinse all of the produce in a outdoor sink (this isnt a commerical growing operation and we do everything by hand, so there may still be some soil/amendments clinging to your produce). We try to make sure we are not appling any pest control/amendment applications directly before a harvest, but as always make sure you give your produce a final rinse at home. After the harvest is rinsed & sorted we bundle, box or bag it, and it is immediately refrigerated or stored as necessary to keep it fresh.