SiCar Farms has a circular economy vision that ensures maximizing crop excellence while minimizing the impact on the environment. The grower, packer and distributor of fresh seedless limes, key limes, organic limes and an array of other products is a company that demonstrates the importance of sustainability by the systems they institute.

Based in McAllen, TX, the company is known for being an agricultural leader that has invested in and installed one of the largest rooftop solar projects in south Texas. SiCar Farms looks to meet the demand for electricity use and reduce its CO2 footprint by using renewable energy.

Solar Energy:
SiCar Farms reports that the estimated amount of savings from the use of its solar panels will generate a minimum of between 1.18 to 1.34 million kilowatt hours annually. This energy savings translates to the equivalent of 875 cars driving 9.1 million miles annually, 425,000 gallons of gasoline, 4.14 million pounds of burned coal and, 540.599 million of charged smart phones.

“Solar energy is here to stay and is the earth’s most generous energy source. We believe that the greatest benefit from this investment for SiCar Farms has been the advantage of being energy self-sufficient. In today’s high-demand and volatile energy market, capturing control and generating our own electricity safeguards us against any future energy cost increases,” said Luis Gudino, CEO at SiCar Farms.

Circular Economy Vision:
The process begins at SiCar Farms:

Nurseries: The lime plant is grown from the seed. Once the plant’s necessary size and characteristics are met, the plant it is transplanted into the field.

Plantations:

• Preparation of the soil with vermicompost.  For the elimination of pests, SiCar Farms develops bio-repellents and breeds lacewings in its agroecology department. Lacewings are a natural enemy of pests and their eggs.
• Bees/pollination: Integrating bees into the crops guarantees the pollination of flowers while significantly increasing the productivity of the plants.

Packing: Once the fruit is harvested it is quality selected with the highest of standards, prepared for exportation and then sold internationally.

Processing:  limes that are not exported are sent to the Citrojugo Plant (SiCar Farms' sister company) where the:

• juice is extracted of its natural juices
• oil is extracted to make essential oils
• peels are sent to a dehydration plant for commercialization.  The main use is extraction of pectin, which is used to feed the livestock.
• dehydration of the peel and production of the juice and oil produces “wastewater,” which is generated (free of any chemical agents) to irrigate the fields.  This nutrient filled water balances the soils PH and enhances the fruit production.

Agroecology:  Utilize agricultural systems by maximizing biofertilizers, bio repellents, biological controls, pollinators and agrotechnology.

SiCar Farms deems that renewable energy and industry sustainability initiatives are imperative for businesses now and the future. “Our agricultural industry’s success is based on enhancing the already available resources and synergies that result in SiCar Farms’ ability to supply quality products to retailers and food service companies throughout the United States,” said Gudino.

SiCar Farms’ team will be exhibiting fresh products and ready to discuss in detail its programs of renewable energy and circular economy vision at booth No. 317 at Viva Fresh March 30-April 1 in Grapevine, TX.