Sustainability

at Silver Reef Organic Farms

We commit to going above and beyond to create the highest quality crops on the market using leading edge technology, superior sustainable systems to contribute to healthy ecosystems, build a strong farming community, and contribute to an enhanced economy. As a Sustainable Farm, Silver Reef Organic Farms is committed to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the environmental impact for future generations.

Precision Agriculture

  • Incorporating precision data systems into daily operations allows SROF to improve operating efficiency, communication, and production analysis. Information on nitrogen use, fuel use, soil test data, and harvest trends help farm leadership make informed decisions for upcoming crop years. Along with the integration of data collection software, Silver Reef can now provide procurement teams with transparency and traceability data related to their crops being sold. Silver Reef can also report field data according to our buyer’s sustainability initiatives. 
  • We use Granular farm management software to track tractor data so we can know on a per field per acre basis our profitability 

Irrigation Management

  • Using remote moisture sensing technology, weather modeling, and variable rate nozzles, Silver Reef Organic Farms can irrigate crops with precision accuracy and be more efficient with valuable resources like water and crop nutrients.
  • By utilizing Zimmatic FieldNet software, we have precision control over application rates and quickly assess any necessary repairs of irrigation equipment.  This allows for improved watering accuracy, efficiency and less field interruption.

Nutrient Agronomy Strategy

  • Here at Silver Reef Organic Farms, we use poultry litter as our primary nutrient source. Since Poultry litter is more nutrient dense per ton than cattle manure, it is the ideal source of crop fertilizer. By utilizing less tons per acre translates to less trips in the semi’s to get whole-farm nutrient needs and cuts down on fuel costs and carbon emissions.

Grain Bin Initiative

  • Silver Reef Organic Farms stores many of our grain products in our certified organic on-site grain bins. The ability to transport harvested product from field to bin helps reduce carbon emissions, lowers fuel and labor transportation costs and gives us better control over getting our crops out of the field in a timely manner.  Our grain bins are equipped with ventilation systems and remote moisture sensors so that grains can be closely monitored for quality control.  This ensures that the crop our buyers receive will be of the same quality and consistency as if it was taken directly out of the field.

Cover Crops

  • Since 2018, Silver Reef Organic Farms has integrated cover crops to improve soil health, weed and crop management. Cover crops provide the farm with operating efficiency by reducing manure applications, purchases of supplemental nitrogen, improving weed management, and reducing labor and fuel use.
  • While there are many advantages to cover crops for operating efficiency, they also provide the soils with additional organic matter by sequestering carbon and reducing soil nitrous oxide emissions.
  • Cover crops also provide benefits of nutrient cycling, weed suppression, and helping manage soil, air, and water retention.

Data Collection & Farm Management Software

  • Since 2018, Silver Reef Organic Farms has integrated cover crops to improve soil health, weed and crop management. Cover crops provide the farm with operating efficiency by reducing manure applications, purchases of supplemental nitrogen, improving weed management, and reducing labor and fuel use.
  • While there are many advantages to cover crops for operating efficiency, they also provide the soils with additional organic matter by sequestering carbon and reducing soil nitrous oxide emissions.
  • Cover crops also provide benefits of nutrient cycling, weed suppression, and helping manage soil, air, and water retention.

Health

Organic Farming reduces health risks over all. Organic farming relies ecosystems natural principles to produce organic food. We apply natural techniques first to build biodiversity and replenish the soil fertility. Conventional farming uses practices that can decrease the production of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and phytonutrients in food as well as further contaminating the food with pesticide residue. Organic Agriculture is one way to prevent synthetic chemicals from getting into the air, earth, and water that sustain life.

Employee Wellness

Silver Reef Organic Farms fosters a healthy and safe workplace by nurturing their growth and development through:

  • Providing farmstead housing for employees and their families
  • Conducting annual CPR and First Aid training
  • Coordinating bi-annual physicals for employees and families to make sure their health and well-being is always taken care of
  • Performing daily morning stretches, safety protocol and wellness check-in’s
  • Providing access to and maintaining on-site inventory of personal protection equipment (PPE) to ensure that all employees are working safely and without compromise
  • Implementing regular maintenance and upkeep process for all tractors and equipment to keep machinery run safely and efficiently

Community Outreach

Annually Silver Reef Organic Farms has participated in:

  • Wellington’s Relay for Life – a fundraising event that helps communities fight back against cancer
  • St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Give Thanks. Walk – a 5k fundraising community event to raise money for research in cancer and catastrophic disease cures for children
  • Wellington’s Thanksgiving Dinner – a fundraising event that provided Thanksgiving Dinner meals to less fortunate families
  • Wellington Elementary Schools 5K race – a fundraising event to support the two local elementary schools, Rice and Eyestone
  • Silver Reef Organic Farms is heading up the Christmas Lights Donation Program in the town of Wellington for the 2017-2019 season.

In addition to our charitable donations, Silver Reef Organic Farms sits on several agriculture boards and community groups.

  • Greg Schreiner is the chairperson for the Larimer County Agricultural Advisory Board.
  • Greg is a Board member of the Larimer County Underground Water Users association.
  • Greg began the Farmers Initiative for Larimer County
  • Greg Schreiner is on the Larimer County Well Users Board of Directors Association