Farm Orchard, and Vineyard
Farm Orchard and Vineyard ~ Consulting
Thomas Wittman ~ Founder, Gophers Limited Inc
Firstly, we will come to your farm, orchard or vineyard and estimate pest animal populations and potential solutions for abatement of damage and/or control of the pest animal. Accordingly. a strategy will often be a several pronged approach to ensure success.
For example, for a gopher problem:
Efficient trapping methods are demonstrated
Ways of attracting predatory animals are explored
Installation of permanent barriers are examined
These strategies are adapted for particular conditions including environment, cost and labor force available.
We have worked with many kinds of vineyards, from backyard to mid-sized and very large multi-site vineyards.
Subsequently, we have had success in converting growers from using toxins to using Cinch Traps, and in vineyards as large as 30,000 acres.
Farm Orchard and Vineyard ~ Training
Without a doubt we have had enormous success training farmers and farm workers how to control gopher, mole, vole and ground squirrel problems without the use of poisons.
A typical training session will consist of:
Early morning (if possible) trap setting session
Power Point lecture on basic problem animal biology, focusing on behaviors and mannerisms that lead to effective trapping or control.
Additionally the lecture will also include:
Attracting predators
Using sprays and drenches
Different fencing and barrier options
Various organically approved pyrotechnic processes
Several trapping methods.
Furthermore, after the lecture, the group returns to the morning trapping site to check the traps. As well as discovering new areas to set traps to demonstrate effective trapping techniques.
Farm Orchard and Vineyard ~ Presentations
Gophers Limited Inc’s three hour presentation includes basic biological information of our major vertebrate garden pests that will lead to clues with attention to how we can effectively control them without resorting to poisons.
Chiefly, the focus will be on gophers, moles, voles and ground squirrels with basic material covered on raccoons, opossum, skunks, wild pigs and deer.
The presentation concurrently includes (if possible) a trapping and pest-sign identification demonstration in a nearby infested area. The demonstration is set up in advance with traps.
After the indoor lecture portion, the group convenes at the demonstration site and animal signs are read and traps are set and checked. This is a great time to review the information from the lecture in a non-abstract format.
Markedly, this lecture has been held in many California cities over the past several years and has been included in the IPM sections of the Master Gardeners Program, a production of the University of California and at several farming conferences including the Ecological Farming Conference. It has been recognized for PCA professional credits.
What Customers Say
Some Clients We Work With
- ALBA Farmers Salinas, CA
- Pie Ranch Pescadero, CA
- Previdelli Farms Watsonville, CA
- Fruitilicious Farm Watsonville, CA
- Biagini Vineyard Aptos
- Pacific Vineyard Co. San Luis Obispo, CA
- Matiesevich Vineyard Aptos, CA