Responsible use of chemicals with an ultimate goal of minimal use is one of the criteria which allowed Mike and Jean’s Berry Farm and Skagit Growers to be an approved Food Alliance Producer. One example was aphid control on Cascade Snow Cauliflower.

In 1997, after working closely with John Stark, Vegetable Environmental Toxicologist of WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Unit, we began to use a chemical called Imidaeloprid. This is the same chemical that is used to control fleas systemically in dogs and cats. We found that building a special applicator which injects the chemical with the fertilizer at planting time will give systemic control of aphids during the entire growing season. This assures you 100% aphid free cauliflower and eliminates a multitude of exposures to the applicators.

Previously, the only way to control aphids from producing colonies in the branches of cauliflower below the head was to spray every ten days from the time of head formation until harvest. This process required the use of many chemicals. While the consumer was never in any danger because all were applied in approved manner, our applicators were constantly exposed to the highly toxic concentrated chemicals. The environment and neighbors were more at risk when we used multiple sprays, with the constant problem of drift. Only the best training and care in handling would prevent chemical exposure.