Organic

The entire Smit Orchards Ranch has been certified organic through the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). The process involves application for recognition, at least three years of practicing organic procedures, a thorough inspection ensuring compliance with national organic standards and paying the fees annually per crop. The high standards kept by the CCOF are recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and subsequently our produce is deemed USDA Organic.


A brief description of our growing practices of our tree fruits:

• A. To control pest we use only approved organic material:
  1. 100% natural well water
     
  2. Rootstock that is disease resistance/111-protects against W. William Apple aphid, M7 will protect against photofera.
     
  3. A dormant oil spray, to suffocate wintering pest, eggs, scale etc. The oil is petroleum oil diluted with 20 percent water. Powered milk is added to act as a neutralizer and embalmer for the oil.
     
  4. We use pheromone traps for insects (i.e. coddeling moth).
     
  5. Cover crops between trees to control pest mites.
     
  6. Correct water application.
     
  7. Phrethrins (an extract of crushed dried flower mainly Chrysanthemum cinerarifolium, a perennial)
     
  8. Owl boxes and Euculyptus trees to attract owls which naturally prey on rodents that can destroy tree roots.
     
  9. Noise making sounds that disturb and discourage certain pests from causing damage.
     
  10. Bright foil strips of paper which are tied to the trees. When the sun reflects off these it gives blinding light which prohibits birds from perching on the tree or eating the fruits.
  11. Lady bugs for mites.
  12. Surround, is a crop protectant made from modified kaolin clay that is registered for agricultural use which forms a white barrier film which controls damage from various insects, mites and disease pests. The white powdered product repels pests, causes irritation and confusion and is an obstacle for egg laying. It also works as a growth enhancer and as a protectant against sunburn and heat stress.

  
  

• B. To control rot, fungus and/or spoilage we use nitrogen at a manageablelevel(cover crops). We make sure that underneath there is no debris underneath the trees. We will cool the trees in the summertime with well water, through mirco sprayers. After fruit is picked it is immediately cooled at 34 degrees.

• C. To control weeds:
  
  We mow weeds with weed eater near trees or tractor mow between rows of trees. We will even weed by hand when necessary. We use a hot foam weed machine that sprays extremely hot foam onto the weeds, hot enough to scorch the weeds at their roots yet not be able to cause any adverse harm to the trees.




• D. To fertilize we:
  
  Use 100% well water, clover grasses between rows of trees to pull nitrogen out of air and into the soil. We use an organic sea weed kelp and liquid calcium which are applied through foliage application. This means they are applied directly onto the leaves and the leaves absorb the nutrition through their stomata. We will use certain natural composts, phosphate, potash, and Nutrical.

• E. For disease control:
  
  On our grapes we use mining sulfur. On our apples we use Surpreme Oil, phermone Traps, Agrimycine, Dipel, And Surround(Wellable Clay).
  
  The peaches, nectarines, and pluots receive sulfur, Isomate traps, and insecticide soap. Our cherries take Surpreme Oil.
• F. To promote growth:
  
  We use Sonic Bloom which combines approved organic fertilization with music that stimulates stomata to open up.