Organic Growers Reaping Interest

North County organic growers have attracted quite an interest at the international level.

Alberta Pallan of Pallan Apple Orchard has had visitors from Iran, France and Czechoslovakia. Earlier this summer, a group of 30 Australians toured North County organic farms to learn techniques.

One of the farms they stopped at was One Mile Farm in Valley Center, which provides lectures and demonstrations on the biodynamic method of organic farming. In regular organic farming, raw manure is used as fertilizer, without pesticides or chemicals. Biodynamics takes the fertilizer a step further by composting the manure with alfalfa and a special organic bacteria starter. Users of the method believe the composting eliminates toxins.

It is probably a good idea to ask a grower if he or she is a certified organic farmer. The state certification indicates that the land on which produce is grown has been free of pesticides and chemicals for at least three years. Smaller growers, such as You Farm, might not go after the certification but still claim to grow their crops without pesticides.

“People say, ‘Do you spray?’ ” says You Young, who operates the family farm in Fallbrook with his father. “I say, ‘Yes,’ and they look shocked. Then I say, ‘With water.’ ”

These organic farms will sell directly to consumers:

The Apple Stop, Old Castle Road and Wilkes, Valley Center. Call first: 749-1952. Crops: apples, Asian pears, avocados, plums, peaches, nectarines, lettuce, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, various vegetables, limes, lemons, corn, okra.

Pallan Apple Orchard, 30535 Anthony Road, Valley Center. Call first: 749-1168. Crops: apples, pears, persimmons, peaches, plums.

One Mile Farm, 14415 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center. Call first: 749-5406. Crops: garlic, potatoes, onions. Also sell and lecture on biodynamic compost.

Engleharts Organic Fruit Haven, 9151 W. Lilac Road, Escondido. Call in evenings for appointment: 749-9492. Crops: oranges, avocados, cherimoya, tangerines, tangelos, loquats, grapefruit, persimmons, feijoa, macadamia nuts. Also offers vacation “retreat haven” for campers.

Howard Johnson Fruit Stand, 2410 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido. 745-5542. Crops: tomatoes, string beans, cucumbers, peaches, plums, zucchini.

Grandpa’s Organic Grown, 2305 Monte Vista Drive, Vista. Crops: onions, green beans, corn, strawberries, others.

You Farm, 1402 Mission Road, Fallbrook. Crops: spinach, lettuce, green onion, radish, Swiss chard, Oriental chives, Japanese cucumber, Chinese cabbage, green pepper, squash.

Little Creek Acres, 13802 Little Creek Lane, Valley Center. Call first on Mondays at 749-9634. Crops: apples, Asian pears, figs, persimmons, apricots, peaches. The farm, which is up for sale, is one of 16 certified biodynamic farms in the country.

Glenngary, 14965 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center. 749-0719. Crops: persimmons, tangelos.

Lockyer’s Pad, 31660 Mountain Way, Bonsall. Call first: 728-1712. Crops: avocados, apples.

Mediterranean Ranch, 1132 Saxony Road, Leucadia. Call first: 753-2886. Crops: figs.

Rancho Santa Madre, 32929 Lilac Road, Valley Center. Call first: 742-1801. Crops: oranges, pink grapefruit, tangelos.