SUSTAINABILITY

“It all starts with responsible thinking. We make decisions based on whether it will be good for the earth.” - B

certified organic in 1997

roof top solar electric for refrigeration of milk and cheese and all farm activities 

solar hot water

water used for cooling milk is reclaimed for watering plants

compost and soil amendments developed on site

seed saving (field corn seed has been saved for over 20 years!)

yogurt jar return (return reuse initiative so you all can be a part of the effort)

heritage and mixed breed dairy cows (A2 breeding)

angus and white galloway beef cows with New Zealand genetics for low impact grazing to meat ratio

tree planting is continuous

organic orchard of grafted varieties unique to Hoosick, NY planting started in 2004 

tillage techniques and timing for minimization of erosion

designated no harvest zones for the evolution of nature (humans don’t get to take from there)

maple syrup wood lot rotation and use of buckets for sap collection

crop rotation

Inter seeding and green manure crops

emphasis on heritage and open pollinated vegetable varieties

nature nurture by careful avoidance of nesting birds in fields

straw mulch usage (no plastic ground covers or greenhouse covers are used)

one small glass greenhouse for starting garden plants that require short indoor season only

we are a repair culture (we fix the machines, repair the barns, and employ the people in our community to keep things working)

garden subscription program

Goats for weed control

every day we make the call for minimizing garbage

Responsibility is tradition at Berle Farm!