Looking to the Future with a New Perspective

There is no question that technological advances have had a dramatic impact on the farming sector.  The implementation of technology has helped to increase production, reduce labor costs and improve quality.  At Vessey and Company we are looking beyond the bottom line and upgrading our systems for a more globally beneficial purpose.

Rising fuel prices and global warming concerns are not just a lead story on the evening news.  The economic impact of these issues cannot be denied in today’s energy intensive agriculture.  Vessey and Company, always the innovator, has already made significant changes to increase fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Examples of our efforts to ‘go green’ include a three-row spinach planter (versus single row), a fleet of fuel efficient vehicles and GPS systems utilized during planting.  The most dramatic change we have made thus far has been the relocation of our ranch facilities from El Centro to Holtville.  We are now far closer in proximity to our growing fields resulting in a substantial reduction in fuel dependency.

Although the Imperial Valley is a desert region, we have historically had access to a more than ample water supply for crop irrigation.  When drought conditions became extreme in California years back, Vessey and Company was part of a large contingent of landowners that lobbied the irrigation district to restrict the water supply through allocation measures.  Our water conservation efforts include the use of solid set sprinklers, pump back systems and drip irrigation.  Our choice to conserve water was never forced on us, instead we initiated the changes because it was the right thing to do.

We will continue to look for new avenues that will result in decreasing our carbon footprint.  In addition to a plan to increase our already established recycling program, we are currently installing solar energy technology at our ranch office. 

Admittedly, we hope these changes will contribute towards our efforts to maintain our high quality standards at a reasonable cost to the consumer.  It is undeniable that our choice to lead our peers regarding sustainability has a very personal motive.  Vessey and Company is today, as it always has been, a family company.  It is our great hope that we can leave our land and earth to our children and future generations in the same or better condition than it was given to us.