Joshua Tree, CA, July 26, 2009 - The first crop is underway at the new Earthwise Farm located on Sunfair Road in Joshua Tree. The new farm in Joshua Tree is the largest fruit and vegetable farm in the South Desert region of San Bernardino County (from Victorville to 29 Palms) and is now the only major farm in operation in the entire Morongo Basin. The sustainable farm is located at the site of a former alfalfa farm that was last active in the 1950′s. After nearly 60 years of dormancy, the soil at the former alfalfa farm is still abundantly rich and fertile. New plantings for this season include peanuts, carrots, beets, watermelon, cantalopes, winter squash and potatoes.

A two acre worm farm has also been started to supply the farm with worm castings. A planned expansion of the worm farm is scheduled to occur in September 2009 to provide local growers with a steady supply of worm castings.

The water-conserving drip irrigation system was installed on the first 40 acre farmsite parcel, operated by Jaimie Bros. Farms. After several attempts of pressurizing the system at full well output, Jaimie Bros. succeeded at containing the prodigious output of well #2.

An example of the farm equipment on site.