Russet, red and yellow potatoes and red, yellow and white onions from Washington’s Columbia Basin are in good supply currently. The combination of sun, water and mineral rich alluvial soil in the area makes for some ideal conditions as far as growing onions and potatoes are concerned. “The land and weather patterns in our region allow us to carefully control water and nutrients to the plants for precise irrigation and greater sustainable yields, resulting in affordable produce,” said Lauren Johnson of Easterday Farms Produce Co.
Real-time data
By harnessing the latest technology in farming and post-harvest operations, Johnson says the result is the ability to produce onions and potatoes that are high quality, safe, sustainable and affordable. Long gone are the days of strictly planting by eye, hoping crops were evenly spaced. GPS plays a key role in modern farming. “GPS monitoring and planting technology have made an impact on precise and efficient planting processes,” said Johnson. “With the implementation of GPS monitoring, (we can) collect real-time data from accurate position information.” She says this also eliminates the risk of double planting and increases planting productivity.
In the past, it was difficult for farmers to maximize crop yields and production practices with land variability. To improve production gaps, GPS monitoring allows for more precise applications of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers and better control of distribution. “With the use of GPS monitoring, we are able to practice precision agriculture, thus reducing expenses, producing a higher yield, and creating a sustainable farm,” she explained.
As a way to give back – and ensure that communities can eat good, healthy food regardless of its size, shape or whether it looks perfect or imperfect, Easterday Farms has made contributions to Feeding Washington among several other food banks for a number of years. “As the grower, packer, and marketer of our onions and potatoes, we are thrilled to see our fresh products assist those in need,” she said.
For more information:
Lauren Johnson
Easterday Farms Produce Co.
Ph: (509) 544-9595