Sustainable Farming

  • Home /
  • Sustainable Farming

RESPONSIBILITY IN AGRICULTURE

As retailers increasingly look to Exeter Produce to continue supplying sustainably produced commodities, informed consumers are realizing this important point of differentiation in the marketplace, now more than ever before.

THE VALUE OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING

Agricultural sustainability embodies a multi-faceted, long-term approach to business on the farm, encompassing economic and environmental stability and a basis of equity and health for the farm and the family on it. Being a truly sustainable farming business is important for our family, community and our retailers and partners.

SUSTAINABLE FARMING

SOME OF THE THINGS WE DO TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY FOOTPRINT

PROPER CROP ROTATION

We follow a broad leaf crop by planting a grass crop the next year

  • This is better for soil by breaking the insect and disease cycle
  • This reduces the requirement for pesticides

Cover Crops

We plant cereal, rye, oats and red clover to protect the soil

  • Reduces our carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions
  • Draws the excess fertilizer from the previous crop to reduce run-off

Continue to plant permanent wind breaks

  • Constant evaluation of farms to develop new ways to reduce wind erosion
  • Trees also provide animal habitat and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions

Equipment Maintenance

All tractors go for yearly inspections to ensure they're in top condition

  • Maintenance can improve machine performance and maximize efficiencies
  • Ensures diesel emissions are kept to a minimum

Drip Irrigation

  • Compared to overhead watering, drip irrigation uses roughly one third of the water
  • Also saving the fuel and energy needed to pump the other two thirds

Conservation Authority Relationships

  • We use their expertise to maintain and enhance the pollinative habitat
  • We seek their advice to modify our practices to make them more ecologically sustainable and Earth friendly
  • Thinking of milk weed, not as a weed in our head rows, but as food for the pollinating Monarch Butterfly

Research & Waste Management

  • We intensively soil sample, to only use nutrients where and when they are needed
  • Vegetable waste goes into a methane digester that is then spread back onto the ground to build organic soil matter, vital to soil stability
  • Multi-year program including the spread of 100 acres of natural fertilizer per year

IPM Program

We hire and train dedicated Crop Scouts to institute an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program

  • This reduces our overall use of pesticides
  • Crop Scouts make use of satellite imagery to better do investigate issues
  • Drone flights are used when warranted to obtain the best resolution

Partner With Exeter Produce.

About Us

Located in Southwestern Ontario, Exeter Produce is a grower and packer with over six decades of food handling experience.

veri fine brand logo

Our Contacts

215 Thames Road West, Exeter, ON N0M 1S3
Canada

1 (519) 235-0141
1 (800) 881-4861