It is the goal of Landmark Trust USA to diversify and enhance the ecological integrity of the orchard. The orchard, which had been 98% McIntosh apples conventionally managed when we acquired the farm, now has 70 varieties of apples along with pears, plums, peaches, raspberries, gooseberries, elderberries, grapes, medlars, and quince--all certified ecologically grown.

The farm relies primarily on biological and cultural practices to control insect pests. To control fungal diseases we use a combination of cultural practices and low rates of fungicides. The fungicides used at Scott Farm were originally derived from natural sources but are not considered “organic.” Since 2005 the farm has utilized biological disease control.

Scott Farm has worked with the University of Massachusetts and the University of Vermont in developing ecological pest and disease management. We are currently working with USDA on a test for trapping plum curculio, for example, that has had very promising results.

Our orchardist, Ezekiel Goodband, is well known in the apple community both for his knowledge of and passion for apples as well as his dedication to environmentally sensitive orchard management.

If, as a last resort, a treatment is needed, Scott Farm chooses the least toxic and least environmentally disruptive product available to sustainable and organic growers. Sometimes that product is not considered “organic.” We firmly believe that a healthy and vibrant orchard will:

--provide an acceptable percentage of marketable fruit;
--provide a safe environment for workers and neighbors;
--produce the best tasting, safest, and healthiest fruit for our community.