A Visit to Blue Heron Farm
A few of us took a field trip to the Co-op’s recently acquired farm in the Capay Valley, Blue Heron Farm last week to finish up some organic certification paperwork and chat with Farm Manager Orlando. Orlando worked with John and Gretchen Ceteras, the founders of Blue Heron for years before John passed away in 2018 and the Co-op bought the farm in 2022. He graciously gave us a tour of the farm, and gave us a peek into his world.
As we toured the farm, we learned that to be an organic farmer, he has to remain hyper observant and curious about so many factors over time. His main objective is to keep the balance of the ecosystem on the farm. In order to do this, he has to know as many details as possible about the history of the soil, each individual tree and the potential threats in order to maintain this biodiverse environment.
For example, Orlando strategically waters the northernmost area of the property in an effort to slow down any potential fire that would most likely come from that direction. He intentionally allows weeds to grow in between the rows of citrus trees so their roots will forge tunnels in the soil and allow for deeper watering of the earth. Neighbor cows graze on a plot of weeds and leave behind nature’s fertilizer. There are owl boxes placed in the orchard to assist with pest control and deer fencing to reduce damage to growing citrus trees. We are grateful for all of the hard work and care that goes into growing those Navel Oranges that we enjoy each winter!
