Small market producer firm uses techniques to care for land

Faced with the effects of climate change, in recent years several small producers have begun to use more environmentally friendly practices.

As Guillermo Lazaro, Farmer, ALD and Y Organic Farm in Salinas, California performs various farming techniques to give the soil a break and also to avoid pests and therefore do not use fertilizer to kill them.

Guillermo Lázaro, explains that in his case he plants a variety of products and in order to keep the soil healthy he rotates his crops.

In addition, he uses other methods to improve his products.

He also carries out cover crop practices to improve the quality of the soil, but he also faces challenges.

Guillermo Lázaro indicates that it is very important to know the different methods of planting and harvesting that make it possible to have organic products, without pesticides, and to take them, as in his case, to people’s tables for them to enjoy.

The small farmer Guillermo Lazaro, originally from Oaxaca, grows organic crops and shares how he applies traditional wisdom in his projects.

In this sense he says that every plant has, for example, a disease or pest, and it is difficult for it to keep spreading when changes are made to the crops in an intelligent way.

Another thing that can help is that they have different flowers that are beneficial.

Another challenge that small producers face is that they did not have the opportunity for education.

Guillermo Lázaro details how he works in the small markets where he takes his products and shares how the local market works.

He experiences hedging when the crop is put up, but is seeing how that practice works.

Guillermo says that a challenge for small producers is that they do not have enough resources for equipment to plant and harvest.

Finally, he says they will not be able to replace the hands and tradition of the men in the field, that is, the farmer.

This report is part of the series “Cuando se seca el Arroyo” is funded in part by The Walton Family Foundation.