Why Aztlán?

The concept of Aztlán as the place of origin of the pre-Columbian Mexican civilization is one understanding of this ancient word.  Bridges Produce is honored to use this name in representing the finest organic mangoes from Mexico.

The Organic Solution

Organic growing methods are crucial for the health of Mexican farming families! Due to close proximity, people living on conventional farmland are exposed to the same toxic chemicals as the plants. In contrast, organic farmers cooperate with nature and utilize techniques that keep the food, the land, and the people clean and healthy.

Mineralization

Colloidal rock partials are chelated by the soil food web Quality food only comes from rich mineralized soils. Columbia Gorge continually samples their soils for mineral and microbial availability and add only the highest quality rock powders available as soil amendments. They only use naturally mined, fine ground, silica based rock powders in the form of limestone, sedimentary materials phosphate rock, and colloidal silt from the river beds of Hood River. These powders contain important trace elements such as iron, cobalt, zinc, selenium, boron, calcium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, magnesium, potassium, and sodium - all of which are essential for soil, plant and human health. Without these elements present in abundance, enzyme production would slow or be non-existent, making the growing process difficult.

Fertilization

Creating healthy soils naturally Columbia Gorge’s organic system does not rely on high nitrogen fertilizers which only gives the fruit the appearance of quality, replacing minerals with nitrogen and diminishing the food value. Instead, they grow cover crops such as green manure, use fish and kelp fertilizers which are high protein sources, and of course, apply their homemade compost annually. Natural decomposition of compost increases the soil food web, producing nitrogen to feed the plant as needed. This complex soil food web is composed of humus levels, fungi, protozoa, micro arthropods and insects. The Stewart family is continuously building the organic matter, humus, and biological activity in their soil. It is their experience that healthy plants more easily fight off disease and insects. Building up the soil food web is one of the primary tools that Columbia Gorge uses to promote plant health. Compost teas and foliar feeds are important too.

Compost tea applications

Now that’s a tea party! Compost tea is made with molasses, kelp, and rock powders along with the best soils and then brewed in anaerobic environment in which only beneficial microbes and bacteria are grown. The resulting tea is used as a foliar spray with fungicidal properties. The result has been the reduced use or even elimination of copper and sulfur in areas of their orchard and has made controlling apple and pear scab, mildew, and peach leaf curl no longer a significant problem.

Foliar feeds

Trees and plants not only take up nutrients from the soil and root system, but also from the leaf which is designed to retrieve windblown minerals. Columbia Gorge is very tenacious with their foliar applications using them weekly through the majority of the growing season. They have found that foliar feeds of fish emulsion, kelp extracts, and colloidal rock powders along with compost teas improves the trees health and gives it more insect and disease resistance. It also produces fruit that is firmer with better color, sweeter flavor, and a longer storage life. The soil fertility program at Columbia Gorge is exceptional. And that is why their fruit is exceptional too!