Yucca Valley, CA, August 5, 2009 – After the Water Canyon Farmers Market closed down unexpectedly due to lack of sufficient business, the Earthwise co-op, which is located in a commercial space adjacent to the site of the former farmers market, remained open for business during the normal farmer’s market hours. Freshly picked produce provided by our partnership with Jaime Farms, is grown locally and does not contain pesticides, GMO or chemical fertilizers. The produce was brought in and setup inside the Earthwise co-op store. As a show of community support, the local news media, including The Hi-Desert Star and Z107.7 radio station promoted the event. The turnout was bigger than expected, and at times, the tiny co-op store was packed with standing room only and more people were waiting outside to get in and buy fresh produce. At the end of the day, hundreds of people showed up to support their local farm and most produce items were sold out. People were very happy to see that high quality produce was available at the site of the former farmer’s market, and glad to learn that the Water Canyon Farmers Market was in the process of re-opening after we obtain new permits for everything.

The tiny Earthwise co-op store in Yucca Valley, CA:

Some examples of high quality, freshly picked produce set out for purchase. Almost all of this was sold out and gone by the end of the day.

At times there were lines of people waiting to get into the co-op store!

A happy customer, selecting freshly picked heirloom tomatoes.

Yucca Valley, CA, July 15, 2009 - A commercial space at Water Canyon in Yucca Valley was leased for Earthwise co-op members to pick-up freshly harvested produce. The co-op is located at the site of the new Yucca Valley Farmers Market.

The Yucca Valley Certified Farmers Market celebrates their Grand Opening with a Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting.  Present to help owner Lori Herbel cut the ribbon are Eric Mueller, Elizabeth Mediavilla, Yucca Valley Town Council Members Bill Neeve and George Huntington along with Robert Ellis, Tim Sakach, Jim Schooler, Yucca Valley Community Services Director, Yucca Valley Chamber Past President Jennifer Collins, Yucca Valley Chamber Ambassadors, Yucca Valley Chamber Members, with friends, family and shoppers.

Earthwise Organic Farms is proud to announce their new location at Water Canyon, located on the North West corner of 29 Palms Highway and Pioneertown Road.  Please call for more information at (760) 542-9780 or visit the co-op Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Joshua Tree, CA, June 20, 2009– The ceremony began with the ringing of a bell, given by a Polynesian monk, to bless the land. “The reason for choosing today is because of the Summer Solstice, energy wise you couldn’t ask for a better time to do a ground breaking ceremony, especially for growing things,” Ellis said.

A ribbon cutting ceremony announced the opening of Earth Wise Organic Farms with Jaime Farms June 20. Together they have created a local organic farming co-op.

As people were arriving for the ceremony, locals mingled, tasted strawberries from Pipes Canyon, put their names into a container for winning a basket of fruits and vegetables, and talked with Dr. Robert Ellis, ND, chairman of the Earth Wise Organic Farms board.

With about fifty people in attendance, including the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce, Ellis said, “If each one of you told five of your friends, we are an instant success.” There are 500 share openings for the co-op with 12 week co-op cycles.

To keep the farm in a true organic style everything will be produced in house, including worm castings from a two acre worm farm on location and seeds from the plants being grown. Worm castings have been chosen for many reasons from keeping the ground from going hot, and preventing ground water contamination as with other farm animal manures. This is especially important since the surface of the farm is only 110 feet above the underground aquifer.

The well water that is being used to water the farm had quite a different taste than most of us have become accustomed to here locally. The taste had quite a delicious softness to it compared to the piped in water. To conserve this water, instead of sprinkler systems being used, there will be a drip system installed, with drips every 8 inches, saving approximately 60 percent in water use.

“I have been a part of the National Ground Water Association water management courses, and have logged over 200 hours in certification classes for training in water conservation,” Ellis said.

The growing fields have abundantly rich soil due to the fact this land was used in the 1950s to grow alfalfa. To break the wind on the plant, the crops will be planted in a ‘S’ or snake shape, a method used in Europe, to break the wind from themselves.

There will be no pesticides used on any crops. “If the critters stop by to have lunch, well, there’s gonna be a smörgåsbord,” Ellis said, “The goal is to develop a garden to shift critters to a different area.”

One hundred and sixty acres have been dedicated out of the 640 acres owned, to the organic farm. There will be over 300 plants throughout the year, depending on the season. There should be something of different colors every time you drive by or stop in. “I would like the community to stop by anytime and check out the farm,” Ellis said.

The growing cycle is 11 months out of the year. Each co-op is $32.00 for twelve weeks, paying for the microbial sterilization of the boxes, vegetable, and fruit, and for supplying the boxes or coolers used. This equates to approximately $2.67 per week.

The fresh fruit box is $35.00 per week and includes, 2 pints of strawberries, 2 lbs. of peaches, 2 lbs. of oranges, 1 lbs. cherries, 1 watermelon, 1 cantaloupe, 2 lbs. of apples, and 2 lbs. of tomatoes.

The fresh veggie box is $40.00 per week and carries 1 bunch of carrots, 1 bag of lettuce mix, 1 lbs. of broccoli, 1 lbs. of cucumbers, 1 lbs. of Summer squash, 2 lbs. of peppers, 2 lbs. of potatoes, 1 lbs. of eggplant, 1 bunch of asparagus, 3 ears of corn, 1 lbs of green beans, and 1 bag of spinach.

A mixed box of fresh fruit and vegetables costs $45.00 per week and is stocked with 2 pints of strawberries, 2 lbs. of peaches, 2 lbs. of oranges, 2 lbs. of apples, 1 watermelon, 2 lbs. of tomatoes, 1 bag of lettuce mix, 1 lbs. of cucumbers, 2 lbs. of peppers, 3 ears of corn, 1 lbs. of green beans, 1 lbs. of Summer squash, and 1 bag of spinach.

“These prices versus in the grocery store are substantially less,” said Ellis.

To join the co-op, the website is www.earthwiseorganicfarms.com, or call Dr. Robert Ellis at 760-542-9780. To visit the farm the address is 3698 Sunfair Drive in Joshua Tree, California.