Froerer Farms Inc., parent company of Owyhee Produce in Nyssa, OR, recently purchased 1,300 acres of additional farmland adjacent to the Snake River in Oregon's Treasure Valley.

According to a release from Owyhee Produce, the purchase "is a landmark moment for the Froerer family and an affirmation of its commitment to provide leadership in sustainable farming practices."

The release goes on to say, "Dedication to sustainability empowers Froerer Farms to grow and ship safe, high-quality and nutritious food, while reducing negative environmental impact, 365 days a year."

Froerer Farms will be the second owner of this land since German-born immigrant and entrepreneur Fred J. Kiesel originally homesteaded it in 1890.

The additional farmland will bring Froerer Farms' total to just under 4,000 acres in production. The additional 1,300 acres will allow the farm to increase onion plantings to 800 acres, a 200-acre increase. It will also allow for similar increases in plantings of most other crops grown on the farm, while assuring a five-to-seven-year crop rotation.

The operation now grows asparagus, beans, beets, corn, mint, onions, peas and wheat.

"By rotating our land to onions and other crops only one time every five years or so, we are building higher organic matter into the soil," said Craig Froerer, chief executive officer of Froerer Farms. "This way we use less water, few chemicals and fertilizers, and can virtually eliminate fumigation. A better crop rotation means less of an environmental impact, and frankly, to us, that is just common sense."

In addition to the environmental benefits of crop rotation, Froerer Farms will care for the soil and help immunize its carbon footprint by using the organic soil product, Terra Fresh One, which, according to the release, "helps to lower the farms overall input costs while boosting yields and increasing the quality of its produce."

The farm is also working to create a better habitat for various waterfowl on the new land. Ponds have been added to increase wetlands available to the birds and other wildlife.

"It is great to share with people how our family runs a modern agri-business by being careful how we impact Mother Nature," stated Shay Myers, general manager of Owyhee Produce.

Mr. Myers continued, "We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with our farm in marketing and packing for the fresh market. It is our goal to prove that there is a difference in what you buy and who you buy it from. On the store shelf my onions may look like the next, but they all come with different consequences and impacts -- impacts to the environment, your health and your future."