John & Betty Vollmer

At Market on Saturdays.

Products: Strawberries, Blueberries, Specialty Lettuce, Mixed Vegetables, Pumpkins

Location: 617 NC Hwy 98E Bunn, NC

History: Farmer John was raised on his family’s 100 acre farm in Bunn, NC. He was born in the home located on the “Back Forty” of the farm. This home is still used by his family today. He has lived on the farm for most of his life, except for the years immediately following his marriage to Betty, while they were starting their family. When their son, Russ, was 6 years old, John and Betty moved back to the farm and began farming tobacco with John’s father, NJ. The family was sustained by the tobacco and an agricultural fertilizer business until the late 1980s. That was when they completely diversified the farm and started growing pumpkins, strawberries and organics. Now, John and Betty’s grandchildren are helping on the farm! Farmer John is an award winning farmer, conservationist and organic expert. In addition to growing organic strawberries, he has planted organic blueberries which will be ready to harvest in 2009. Farmers John says, “My main goal has always been to keep the farm in the family for future generations.”

Soil: In addition to Vollmer Farms organic acreage, they have many improvements to the soil quality, pH and water holding capacity by using compost and cover crops. They apply many of the same techniques to the non-organic fields.

Water Use: Vollmer Farm has 5 farm irrigation ponds and all of the ponds are full! These water resources will allow them to produce crops during dry times. Farmer John has just completed an irrigation upgrade on the farm that links all of the water resources together for the production of fruits and vegetables.

Weed Control/Pest Management: Plastic mulch and drip irrigation help with both weed and insect control. The plastic helps conserve moisture, keeps soil disease off of the plants and helps to eliminate spider mites. The plastic provides a solid layer off of which John can use a high-pressure sprayer to bounce insecticidal soap onto the bottom of the leaves. The mulch that he uses is bio-degradable and is a key component in pest management (less chemical use).

This vendor's products are certified Organic.