Erik Peterson

Naples, NY

Crops Grown

beans, beets, brussels sprouts, carrots, gourds, purslane, bagged baby lettuce greens, kohlrabi, leeks, melons, peas, sweet peppers, radish summer and winter squash, tomato, assorted herbs

Growing Practices

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 spacing for ventilation, crop rotation and sanitation, and drip irrigation.  According to Erik, “Ambrosia Acres Family Farm is committed to providing the very best product in a manner that reflects our respect for the environment and those who live in it.  (Our)  heavy use of cover crops and permanent mulches  feeds the soil, conserves water, and suppresses weeds.  We are very hand tool oriented and try to minimize off-farm inputs.  We try and mimic the NOFA-NY guidelines unless we find new techniques that improve on those inputs.  We are moving toward an ethanol base for efforts that require machinery.”