The average U.S. grower is over 58 years of age. The number of family farms in America is shrinking. For health and the well-being of our country, we need a strong contribution from the next generation. Fortunately, there’s a growing number of talented younger people getting involved.

Allisen Carmichael, Director of Operations with Sierra Pacific Farms in Ventura County in Southern California oversees day to day operations of their management of citrus and avocado orchards.

She said they take a regenerative approach to farming, with an emphasis on healthy soil.

“The best thing we can do to combat Mother Nature is to be prepared for it,” she remarked. “If we have healthy trees, then we are put in a better position to avoid as much crop loss as possible.”

Carmichael said Redox products are part of their crop nutrition, adding “they are high quality and help us enhance our plant’s ability to uptake nutrients.”

Sunny, warm conditions are key to crop development, but how can growers protect their crops when the inevitable heatwave hits?

Fortunately, Redox provides great technology to keep plants strong. diKaP® includes a powerful biostimulant along with excellent phosphorus and potassium nutrition to maintain plant respiration during stress events. The end result often leads to more favorable yield and quality during harvest.

Redox Chief Agronomic Officer Jared Sannar said other key mid-season nutrition options include H-85®, Mainstay® Si and Supreme®.

He said it’s very satisfying to help reduce stress in crops and for growers, who have such a large investment at stake.

“Hitting the yield, hitting the quality at a budget is so important, and that’s one part that we can help with,” he remarked.

Long term success in agriculture greatly benefits from smart innovation. New technology is not only tractors and software, it also includes crop nutrition.

Christopher Hight at Bonipak Produce in Santa Maria, California, is constantly innovating. As lab manager of a large grower/packer/shipper, his job includes in house soil testing and on-site tank mixing. He’s a certified crop advisor and helps growers achieve nitrogen management plans.

His nutrition program includes Redox technology to grow several dozen crops, which ultimately end up with customers far and wide through outlets such as Costco and Safeway.

Christopher will soon achieve a PhD from UC Davis in Soil and Biogeochemistry.