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The farm’s mission is to provide healthy food at a fair price,
save farmland with sustainable farming practices,
and benefit the community we serve.
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Hay Berry Farm follows the practices of the NOFA-NY
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York
Farmer’s Pledge:
WE PLEDGE THAT IN OUR FARMING, PROCESSING, AND MARKETING WE WILL…
Build and maintain healthy soilsBuild and maintain healthy soils by applying farming practices that include rotating crops annually, using compost, cover crops, green manures, and reducing tillage.
Reject the use of snythetic insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizersServe the health of soil, people and nature by rejecting the use of synthetic insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers (except commonly used agricultural compounds such as hydrogen peroxide and soap, that have been used for decades on sustainable farms).
Reject the use of GMOs,chemically treated seeds, synthetic toxic materials, irradiation, and sewage sludgeReject the use of GMOs, chemically treated seeds, synthetic toxic materials, irradiation, and sewage sludge in our farming, and all synthetic substances in post harvest handling.
Treat livestock humanelyTreat livestock humanely by providing pasture for ruminants, access to outdoors and fresh air for all livestock, banning cruel alternations, and using no hormones, GMOs or antibiotics in feed.
Handle raw manure and soil amendments with care.Handle raw manure and soil amendments with care.
Enable small farms to thriveSupport agricultural markets and infrastructures that enable small farms to thrive.
Conserve natural resourcesConserve natural resources including the atmosphere and climate, by reducing erosion and pollution of air, soil and water through responsible farming practices.
Maximize nutritional valueMaximize the nutritional value of food and feed by practicing careful post harvest handling.
Practice minimal processingPractice minimal processing for all food products to preserve the natural nutritional value of food: NO use of irradiation, ultra-pastururization, excessive heat, synthetic preservatives, or GMO processing agents or additives and include all ingredients on labels.
Ensure food safetyEnsure food safety by using potable water for washing crops.
Reduce ecological footprintReduce the ecological footprint of farms and homes by limiting energy use and converting to renewable sources of energy.
Reduce food milesReduce food miles by selling produce locally and regionally.
Create beneficial habitat for wildlifeCreate beneficial habitat for wildlife and encourage biodiversity.
Help preserve farmland.Help preserve farmland.
Share and develop farming skills and know-how.Share and develop farming skills and know-how.
Use ethical business practices.Use ethical business practices.
Pay a living wagePay a living wage to all farm workers and acknowledge their freedom of association and their right to collective bargaining.
Treat family members and farm workers with respectTreat family members and farm workers with respect, and ensure their safety on the farm.
Work in cooperationWork in cooperation with other farmers and with the neighboring community to create a more sustainable way of life.
Encourage the distribution of unsold but edible food to people who need it.Encourage the distribution of unsold but edible food to people who need it.
Sustain the land in healthy condition for future generations.Sustain the land in healthy condition for future generations.
All the creatures living on the farm help create balance.
We invite you to visit the farm and share ideas with us. We love exchanging information about farming and green living.
