Growing Practices

Organic - We do not use synthetic or chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Soil - We do as little tilling as possible because tilling harms the natural micro ecosystems. We also use compost and mulch to enrich the soil and maintain high levels of organic matter in the earth.

Irrigation - We use over head sprinkler irrigation to mimic rain fall.

Planting - We do all planting by hand.

Copper River Farm is not certified organic, but we strictly adhere to the USDA

organic standards.

Sustainability - Sustainability is not only thinking about the farming but also what your farming effects. We strive to make the environment healthier than when we started farming. We also try to disrupt the natural ecosystem as little as possible by providing shelter belts and natural areas. These give food and shelter for wildlife and beneficial insects. In addition we encourage earth worm activity. We use organic methods because they support a healthy ecosystem that is sustainable for the earth and farming. We also try to mimic nature, because we believe mother nature is the best grower of all. This can lead us to finding new and innovative practices that are better for the environment.

Why Buy Organic Flowers?

•Organic flowers address the core purpose of organic production: to enrich the Earth. Your support encourages more growers to convert to organic practices and to reduce toxic chemical usage in the world.

•Pesticides and other toxic chemicals used on flowers can affect the health of farm workers and florists. Without the proper protection, the toxic chemicals can spread onto the clothes and into the bodies of farm workers which in turn can increase exposure to their children. Florists who handle non-organic flowers have been known to develop dermatitis on their hands.

•Buying organic flowers helps support local organic farming communities and organizations.

•Organic flowers, according to many people, are more fragrant and last longer than non-organic ones.

•On a spiritual, holistic level, organic flowers have been farmed in such ways that they retain the essence of flowers, as Mother Nature intended them to have.

•Organic flowers are part of a natural, healthy lifestyle.

•The toxic chemicals used on flower farms can poison groundwater and the soil. These chemicals also become part of the food chain, as animals such as birds will eat the sprayed plants.

•Through evaporation, toxic pesticides and fertilizers that are sprayed on flower farms end up in the atmosphere. They then travel to other global areas to fall as rain or snow.

•Every flower counts: Increasing sales of certified organic flowers gives the market notice that more organic flowers need to be grown, which makes more flower farms convert to using organic agricultural methods.