Erik Peterson

Naples, NY

Salad mix and a variety of vegetables, including greens, tomatoes, root vegetables, herbs, cucumbers, peppers, beans, leeks, potatoes

Soil is built through repeated cover crops, compost, annual mulching as well as permanent mulching.  Insect control is managed through a variety of physical deterrents, i.e. row covers and mulching, and as a last resort, organic insecticides approved by Organic Materials Review Institute.  Weed control is achieved through mulching, flaming, hoeing, and hand work.  Disease control is managed by proper plant spaceing for ventilation, crop rotation and sanitation, and drip irrigation.

Here’s our intern Anne’s report of her interview with Erik Peterson:

Erik Peterson, known by some as “The Lettuce Guy,” wanted to make sure that the food he was feeding his family was truly good for them.  So in 1996, in an effort to supply his house with food, he started a garden.  And the garden grew.  And it grew.  And in his words, “it got out of control.”

Don’t worry.  It hasn’t taken over all of New York State yet.  It’s about an acre, but that’s pretty large considering that he only uses hand tools (rakes, hoes, shovels) in order to leave the lowest carbon footprint that he can.  He told me that he’d rather “add more hands than mechanize,” which is also good news for the community.  Erik would rather create a new job for a hard worker than buy a new machine to do the job.

Ambrosia Acres Family Farm does meet USDA organic standards, but is not certified organic.  Only chemicals approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) are used on the products, and even then use of these chemicals is avoided at all costs.

Erik not only wants to keep his own carbon footprint down, but also appreciates when other people make an effort to do the same. As a customer in a helmet walked up, Erik commented that he really appreciates how many people come to the Brighton Farmers’ Market on foot or bicycle.  He says that he’s noticed this more at our market than at other ones, and that there’s something really special about it.

Erik knows his markets.  He attends Canandaigua’s market on Saturdays and Victor’s Market on Wednesdays.  But our market is lucky because on Sundays, Erik brings his son Aiden, who helps him sell lettuce, herbs, leeks, cucumbers, peppers, and other products.  The lettuce greens are available in small and large quantities, and are known to be sold out by the end of the market, so you better shop early.

This past week, Aiden delivered multi-colored carrots to the Good Grub Club tent as a donation for Carrot Day.  Although, as the intern, I’m probably not supposed to be eating Good Grub Club donations, one of the red carrots caught my interest and I just had to try one for myself.  Let me tell you, it was good.  If you find yourself at the market, and we hope that you do, make sure you visit Ambrosia Acres Family Farm’s booth.