Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/53575
Economics are the key to long-term sustainability, says grower Brenton Roy. compost tea, an in-row cultivator, extensive cover crops, and soaps for insect control. Watts Brothers Farms, a 20,000-acre row-crop and dairy farm at Pasco with more than 4,000 acres of organic production. It is a subsidiary of Lamb Weston/ConAgra Foods, and the nonorganic farms are held to the the Lamb Weston Sustainable Agriculture and Grower Poli- cies. The operation's size allows it to experiment with new techniques without being exposed to the same level of risk as a small farmer would be. Howell at the Moon Productions, a video company that has produced several films about Washington's tree fruit industry, is producing the documentary. Staff filmed all four operations during harvest this year and have done preliminary interviews. Jeff Ostenson, co-owner and executive producer, said the film Broken Limbs, which the company released in 2003, also explored sustainability, and it is still a huge issue today. People want to know where their food comes from and how it is produced. The movie will look at things that are working well on mainstream farms—operations that growers can relate to, he said. "It's focusing on what these different farms of different sizes do that's positive." By November, the Ag Forestry team had raised $10,000 towards the total cost of $100,000 that is needed by May, when the project should be complete. Many of the initial donations came from the wine industry, and Judkins said the group was hoping to secure more donations and grants. They hope that the documentary will be aired by the Public Broadcasting System. It will be distributed online and made available to libraries. It will be translated into Spanish and accompanied by educational materials to encourage classroom use. Any profits from the sale and distribution of the film will help support the AgForestry Foundation. Kevin Judkins is nursery manager for Inland Desert Nursery, Benton City; Aaron Penvose is a project manager with the Trout Unlimited Washington Water Project; Travis Meacham is production manager with Friehe Farms, Moses Lake; Tova Tillinghast is district manager with the Underwood Conservation District; and Richard Hilliker is forestry sales manager for Trimble Navigation Limited. For more information, check the WAFEF Web site at www.agforestry.org or contact Judkins at kevin@inland desertinc.com, phone (509) 430-2497. • www.goodfruit.com 100 YEARS Because we offer the QUALITY you expect and deserve! Your Krymsk® 5 & 6 Headquarters! 100 Years at Newcastle, Ca 800-675-6075 FowlerNurseries.com FowlerNurseries.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER FEBRUARY 1, 2012 17