Blossom Bluff Orchards

People
Ted and Fran Loewen and their grown children, Bryce and Renata, along with about 5 full-time and 20 seasonal employees.
Farmland
78 acres in Parlier, about 200 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
Farm History
In 1931, Fran’s grandparents, Daniel and Babette Lichti, bought the land that has become Blossom Bluff Orchards (which sits on a bluff overlooking the Kings River). Fran’s father, Herb, farmed with his parents, then married and raised his family on the farm. Ted took over farm operations in 1990. Bryce and his wife, Natalie, live in the farmhouse next door to Fran and Ted, and Renata lives just down the road.
The Loewens produce over 100 varieties of high-quality certified organic tree fruit. They market their fruit directly through farmers markets and to restaurants and stores. Most of the fruit is picked at the height of maturity, so what you buy is ready to eat. Overripe fruit is dried or dehydrated.
Certification
California Certified Organic Farmer since 2006
Soil
Sandy loam, built with aged manure, compost, and legumes as cover crops.
Water Use
Water for flood irrigation and some drip irrigation is pumped from the nearby King’s River.
Weed Control
Mowing (including a berm mower) and discing (also for rodent control).
Pest Management
Creates habitat for beneficial insects often by leaving the “weeds” in the orchard, uses pheremone disruption, applies Bacillus thuringiensis at bloom time, and coats dormant trees with oil to smother pests.
Fun Fact
Blossom Bluff’s dried fruit offerings include mandarins and Hachiya and Fuyu persimmons.
Location
Parlier, California
Featured Seller
Swanton was the first strawberry farm in the U.S. to sign a contract with the United Farm Workers of America/AFL-CIO. In 2006, the farm began offering an Employee Stock Ownership Plan to employees, the first such program in production in U.S. agriculture. Swanton is certified by the Agricultural Justice Project as a fair farm and continues to work toward a more fair and equitable food system.
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About CUESA
CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture) is dedicated to growing thriving communities through the power and joy of local food. Learn More »