Organic Certification

Organic food production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility through the use of non-synthetic fertilizers and biological pest controls. Only substances found in nature can be used in organic farming.

Royal Bluff uses only organic agriculture techniques to grow all of its fruit. Organic growing practices include the following:

• Organic orchards receive nutrition and fertilizers consisting of compost, animal manure, fishmeal, plant residues and other natural nutrients.

• Natural pest control methods are derived from plant extracts, the fermentations of yeast, beneficial insects, mating disruption pheromones and systems that bait and trap pests.

• Weeds may be controlled by mulching, cover plantings, mechanical methods, and in some cases an approved non-synthetic herbicide.

Each orchard seeking organic certification goes through a three-year “probationary” period, during which time only organic practices approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture may be used. Then, once inspected and approved by local officials, an orchard may market its fruit as “organic.”

Four of our five orchards have received organic certification, and we expect the fifth—Valliente Orchard—to be certified by 2030.