Nov 19, 2024

The Gingerichs’ journey to organic farming

Farming has always been home to Luke and Annie Gingerich. The couple has turned that lifelong love into a successful organic peach growing operation in Colorado.

As both had grown up on farms, the couple considered starting their own orchard after they moved to Colorado in 2009 for new job opportunities. For five years, they searched for a place where they could grow fruit. Luke gained a taste of farming from the local viticulturists, farmers and orchardists he worked with in his engineering career.

Growing peaches appeared as a challenge and something the family could take on together. As Palisade, Colorado, is known for peaches, the Gingerichs wanted to be a part of that culture and do their part to maintain the industry that makes it an attractive community and a place where their three children could experience the same family farming environment they grew up with.

Bluebird Organic Fruit Co. began in 2016. Growing in a microclimate perfect for peaches, it grows, picks, packs and markets eight varieties of fresh Freestone peaches across a six-week production and harvest window. Aiming for 100,000 pounds a year, new acreage is expected in coming years to increase production.

Despite the greater labor input required, the Gingerichs chose to grow organic peaches, allowing their children to be part of the process and not worry about pesticides and herbicides while playing near the orchards and eating peaches.

“By farming organically, we can feel good knowing that our practices do not risk our health nor the health of the air, soil, water and wildlife,” Gingerich said. The farm’s multi-faceted USDAapproved pest management system includes releasing ladybugs into the orchard to prey upon aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs and other harmful insects.

Eight years of evolution With 15 acres of peaches, Bluebird is a small certified organic and nearly 100% wholesale-only operation, which is unusual. “We do almost no retail sales,” Gingerich said. “At our size, we couldn’t support a family with this model, but so far, we have been able to continue to work off-farm and create a model that is profitable on-farm.”

The company’s secret to success is hard work — which includes late nights, early mornings, long weekends — plus a good banker and good neighbors. Surprisingly, nothing is automated at the farm. The couple hopes to add tech in the future, when it makes sense. “We don’t operate at a scale that allows for investment in cutting-edge technology; we operate with used equipment purchased from larger growers,” Gingerich said. “I do look forward to certain tech being available soon. Orchard floor management is labor intensive for us as organic growers.

Robotic technology exists to solve that issue, but is not commercially available. We could decrease portions of harvest labor with robotics, too.” Being good soil stewards and having a sustainability mindset are important for the family.

“It has grown fruit for more than 100 years, and the next generation will be able to grow fruit in our soil,” Gingerich said. “We do our best to steward our irrigation water as well. Without access to irrigation water, we’d be out of business in no time. The sustainability of our industry in Palisade is a concern due to growth in the Grand Valley and rising land prices. I hope our community continues to develop in a way that allows fruit growing to continue as a major industry.”

Overcoming adversity

The family survived a 2020 freeze that damaged many area trees — a painful experience immediately before the Gingerichs expected to begin seeing revenues. The operation’s philosophy is to “survive and advance.” Securing markets is also challenging. While everyone wants Colorado peaches, it is a long distance from the tree to a consumer’s hand, Gingerich said.

“We haven’t been at it that long, so things are still evolving,” Gingerich said. With labor another large challenge, the H-2A program has helped secure harvest labor. “Time is probably our biggest challenge,” Gingerich said. “There is always something that we should be doing in the orchard, but we have to balance that with off-farm work and raising a family. Pest and disease issues are always a challenge also, especially as organic growers.”

Looking ahead

As the company plans for the future, the Gingerichs see plenty of opportunities to grow, but require time and energy. “We grow an amazing fresh product. If we could grow more of it and get it in a box, there are markets for it,” Gingerich said. “I believe consumers will continue to demand high-quality fresh fruits and value them highly.”

Written by Keith Loria

A graduate of the University of Miami, Keith Loria is an award-winning journalist who has been writing for almost 20 years. View his recent writing at keithloria.contently.com