For as long as she can remember, Nature Fresh farm manager Amy Kunugi has been a believer in organic farming. Her interest in soil microbiology and fascination in seeing the difference in test results of soil used in organic farming versus that of conventional farming has led her into a calling she truly enjoys.

Amy has worked at Nature Fresh for thirteen years. She began working with the farm’s founder Ed Harmon. As Ed neared the end of his career, he sold the farm to friends John and Victor Smith and Amy stayed on.

Nature Fresh has practiced organic farming for over 20 years on 1,500 acres. They provide carrots for Earth’s Best infant foods, in addition to growing broccoli, lettuce, potatoes, dairy hay and wheat. “I really enjoy working with the team from Earth’s Best,” Amy says. “They are very careful to do residual chemical testing on the soil and carrots. I admire that.”

Located at 7,700 feet above sea level in the Alpine Valley of the Rocky Mountains, the high altitude farming has many benefits. According to Amy, “We can have 40° temperature swings from day to night. This contributes to the superior taste of our carrots.” Another benefit is that there are few insects. In fact, the biggest obstacle to farming at Nature Fresh is weeds. Hand weeding is often done to solve the problem. Amy knows the carrots are ready for harvesting by their size – when the top is 1 1⁄2” or more in diameter. For baby food, the carrots are steamed and then peeled. The bigger the carrot, the less surface area there is to peel per ton and there is less waste.

At Nature Fresh no chemicals or pesticides are used. Compost is the only fertilizer. The farm is certified organic by two different agencies – by the State of Colorado and the American Food Safety Institute.

Amy is such a strong supporter of organic farming and Earth’s Best baby foods, she fed them to her own sons when they were babies….and look at them now.