What do we do about pests and diseases?

FARM STORIES & UPDATES

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Probably the number one question we are asked is, "Are you organic?" The short answer to this is "no," but it's not as cut and dry as most people think.

First of all, the term organic is federally regulated, meaning that you can't use it without being inspected, certified, and paying for such measures. And honestly, we don't believe it truly represents what most consumers think it does. You can use pesticides and still be certified organic. You just can't use most synthetic pesticides. At the end of the day, all pesticides, whether naturally derived or not, have the same goal: to kill off pests. Arsenic is natural, after all, but it's also certainly toxic to humans.

So, we made the decision to farm using the IPM system. IPM stands for "Integrated Pest Management." Technically, it's conventional farming, but farming practices, like most things, can be placed on a spectrum. There's no one-size-fits-all way to farm.

Most of all, we believe in investing our time and resources into preventative measures to protect the environment as much as possible.

Some of these practices are as follows:​

• Growing on a 3-year rotation schedule to keep soil health vibrant

• Using drip irrigation to prevent the spread of disease and avoid water waste

• Hand weeding and using plastic mulch to control weeds

• Growing on biodegradable plastic mulch

• Composting excess crops and adding compost back to raised beds

• Introducing beneficial insects to our fields and greenhouses to prey on pests

• Testing and amending soil fertility

During weekly scoutings of our fields, we collect data to monitor the health of our plants. We only use chemicals if destructive thresholds of pests and diseases are evident, and the needs vary depending on the crop and the weather conditions in a given season.

For example, scallions harvested from the greenhouse, early lettuce, produce being grown after a frost, and in so many other situations, the vegetables don't typically need chemical applications. During a very wet year, however, mildew and fungal diseases, spread much more rapidly, and may require chemical applications.

Overall, Farmer Randy works closely with consultants to devise plans for using minimal chemical inputs. His repertoire is ever growing and changing. Many of the chemicals used on the farm are still certified organic options. No chemicals on the farm are considered "restricted use" products.

One issue we've found with farming according to the organic label is that it can be limiting. Sometimes organic farmers need to apply pesticides at greater frequencies, or in higher quantities, to achieve the same goal. And when you can't rotate through as many options, you may face problems with pest and disease resistance. This isn't to say that supporting your local organic farmer is somehow a bad idea, it's just that there are certainly nuances to understanding what the organic label really entails.

Here's another fact that many people are surprised to learn. Randy is also trained to follow strict schedules regarding waiting certain intervals before harvesting crops after a chemical has been applied. These schedules are determined by the EPA.

This means that when chemicals are used, we don't head into the fields right away to harvest. Scientists have studied each individual chemical and have determined not only how much can be used, on what, and for what purpose, but they have also determined how long it takes for the chemical to break down or work its way through the plant. Randy does a TON of math and record-keeping to ensure he's following guidelines.

Do we still recommend washing produce before you eat it? Of course, for so many reasons. However, be assured that our farm is also intermittently tested by the Department of Consumer Protection to ensure that no unapproved levels of chemical residue are evident on our produce.

Though it would be time consuming to answer every question and request related to our chemical usage here, we're happy to shed some light on the big picture. We've made the choice to farm using IPM, and we hope this provides some clarity as to why and how it works. At the end of the day, we believe that transparency is important, and a strong reason why many people choose to get to know their local farmer - no matter how they farm!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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• Bulk boxes of pickling cucumbers are now available!

Walk in during open hours and let us know that you would like a bulk box. We will bring one out to you until they sell out for the day. No pre-orders.

Bulk boxes are 25 lbs. for $34.50.

You are welcome to buy more than one box if available.

Boxes are expected to be available through August. Subscribe to our mailing list for up-to-date information.

• Seeking box donations!

Please bring in your gently used, clean boxes. We'll reuse them for farm orders! Simply rip off your address label first and drop them off during store hours. Think Chewy, Amazon, wine, unscented diapers, Target, small appliances, etc.

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IMPORTANT DATES

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• Stay tuned for updates surrounding pick-your-own opportunities at The Fields at Laurel Glen Farm.

  
  

• Put your thinking caps on! Our Year of the Cabbage Cook-Off will launch in September. We're looking for innovative photo submissions of your cabbage creations!

• The Peak Season program runs through Saturday, October 3rd (13 total weeks).

• The Main Season program runs through Saturday, October 31st (21 total weeks).

• The Extended Season program runs through Saturday, December 5th (32 total weeks).

  Please inquire if you're not sure which program you selected.

• The Shelton Farmers' Market runs on Saturday mornings from 9-12 at 100 Canal Street. The Monroe Farmers' Market runs on Friday afternoons from 3-6 p.m. at 7 Fan Hill Road. Come visit us!

• Our farm store will be CLOSED for Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2026.

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STORE INFORMATION

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Here is the fresh produce we plan to have in stock while supplies last (through Sunday, August 16th)

• Basil

• Beets

• Bok choy

• Cabbage (red and green)

• Cantaloupe (limited quantities)

• Carrots

• Collard greens

• Cucumbers (slicing and pickling)

• Eggplant

• Grape tomatoes

• Green bell peppers

• Hot peppers

• Kale

• Kohlrabi

• Napa cabbage

• Onions (fresh)

• Scallions

• Shishitos

• Swiss chard

• Tomatoes

• Yellow squash

• Zucchini

CURRENT STORE HOURS:

Monday: 10:30 to 3 p.m.

Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

​​Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Cash or check is our preferred method of payment as it allows our family's farm to keep 100% of the profits. However, we also gladly accept credit cards and Venmo.

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VEGETABLE SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

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MAIN SEASON WEEK 10 OF 32

PEAK SEASON WEEK 6 OF 13

(Tuesday, August 11th through August 15th)

Share Contents (Listed approximately from shortest shelf life to longest)

Large:

• 1 cantaloupe (there is the chance we MAY need to provide a substitution on a given day, but if that were the case, members on that day would receive a cantaloupe in the future)

• 1 lb. of tomatoes

• 1 pint of grape tomatoes

• 1 lb. of cucumbers

• 1 bunch of parsley

• 1 eggplant

• 1 "grab a green": your choice of kale, collards, or Swiss chard

• Garlic

  
  

Small:

• 1 cantaloupe (there is the chance we MAY need to provide a substitution on a given day, but if that were the case, members on that day would receive a cantaloupe in the future)

• 1 lb. of tomatoes

• 1/2 pint of grape tomatoes

• 1 eggplant

• 1 "grab a green": your choice of kale, collards, or Swiss chard

Storage tips and recipes for all of the vegetables in this week's share can be located on our website, here.

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VEGETABLE SUBSCRIPTION PICKUP POLICIES

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• All pickups must take place within store operating hours. For many reasons, we can't leave shares outside the store. Pickup days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

• If you need to skip your share for the week, or change your pickup day, you must provide us with 48 hours' notice for any of the options below. This is because we pack shares the day before pickup. Once your share has been harvested and packed, we can not change or cancel your pickup.

• For Tuesday pickups being changed, we need to know by Sunday.

  • Wednesday pickups, we need to know by Monday.

  • Saturday pickups, we need to know by Thursday.

• You have the option to choose another pickup day in a given week: we offer share pickup on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday only. We can not have shares ready on any other days.

• You can skip a pickup and receive a double the following week.

• If you miss your pickup, we will hold your share for 24 hours after your pickup day, and then it will be donated to a local food pantry. With more members than ever before, we don't have the cooler space to hold onto shares longer than this. This is a great option if you miss your pickup - just come the next day.

• You can always send a guest to pick up in your place by simply notifying us of their name.

• Please send us an email to laurelglenfarm@gmail.com 48 hours before an anticipated change. You must submit your request in writing in order to leave a paper trail. This allows you to show proof to our store staff at pickup in the event that we need clarification.

• If a share is picked up outside of your scheduled time (aside from an approved change) or the 24 hour holding period without proof of a request, you will be billed for an additional share.