People

Mark and Kimberly Sorensen and their daughters (Johannah, Elizabeth, and Olivia), and 3 son-in-laws along with 4 part-time and 30 seasonal employees.

Farmland

30 acres of conventional and 40 acres of organic (CCOF) in Caruthers, about 200 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

Farm History

Triple Delight Blueberries is a family farm that works hard to grow the best quality and tasting blueberries possible. Mark, a fifth-generation raisin farmer, decided to diversify his business in 1996 by starting Triple Delight Blueberries. Mark and Kimberly sell most of their blueberry harvest directly to consumers, and every spring the family looks forward to returning to the farmers market to connect with their customers.

Certification

None

Soil

Very sandy soil built up with mulching. Blueberries require acidic soil, so the Sorensens add acidic amendments and organic and synthetic fertilizers through their drip irrigation system. The Sorensens mow between rows as well as combat weeds by hand. Synthetic pesticides are never sprayed on the berries.

Water Use

Blueberries require a lot of water. Water is obtained from on-site wells and drip irrigation is powered by electricity.

Weed Control

The Sorensens mow their fields and weed by hand.

Pest Management

They have almost no pests and use scare deterrents such as flying metalic tape to protect the crops against birds and have installed owl boxes to control the gopher population.