Oregon Tilth documentary - Part 13

Brewer talks about her family farm, specifically a diversified vegetable farm in Philomath, Oregon. She and her husband both grew up on farms and this speaker has insight on both organic and conventional farming. Her grandfather grew organically, although he did not identify as an organic farmer and her father used conventional chemical fertilizer. When farming her father’s land, she found that there was little organic material left. Brewer is firmly on the organic side of farming and the methods they use to produce crops is certainly evident of this. For pest management in regards to flea beetle larvae for their potato crops, she and her husband have used predatory nematodes and so far have found success with this method. They also use cover crops, such as buckwheat and rye to discourage pests. Another concern that this speaker raises is the overuse of manure that can lead to potato scab, a largely cosmetic defect but in terms of marketability, it is detrimental.

Digitized from a Umatic original held in the Oregon Tilth Records (MSS OrTilth), Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries. Original tape is labeled "Tilth Documentary 13."