Sustainable Farming

What does it mean to be sustainable? Good question! At Stahlbush, we think it’s important to explain to people what we mean when we use this term to describe our way of farming and producing food. We define sustainable as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (based on “Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development,” United Nations, 1987). We like this definition because it shows the quest for sustainability is a philosophy. Our philosophy of sustainability guides our farming practices and affects the way we use energy and care for soil, water, people and wildlife.

Innovation

Hi-tech harvest: GPS-guided tractors

Stahlbush sees innovation as a key tool to improve soil, energy use, water, biodiversity and food safety. We are constantly looking for innovative ways to use technology and will continue incorporating creative, sustainable ideas into our farming practices. For example, in 2010, Stahlbush will introduce the first biodegradable bag in frozen fruits and vegetables. And, using GPS-guided tractors, we are able to cultivate with ever-increasing accuracy, reducing synthetic farm inputs and diesel fuel usage. We can also perform some of our farming activities 24 hours a day, making better use of our equipment and running fewer total tractors.

From building the first-of-its-kind biogas plant in North America to creating the first-of-its-kind biodegradable bag in frozen fruits and vegetables, Stahlbush Island Farms is a leader in putting innovation in the service of sustainability.