Agriculture is the largest industry in the world, and the need for sustainable resource management has become increasingly important. IMG Enterprises is committed to investing in and innovating in sustainable agricultural and landscape practices that align with our values and purpose. In particular, we have been focusing on improving soil fertility, promoting water conservation, and refining our integrated pest management strategies in our efforts to combat greening disease.

Healthy soil is essential to sustainable agriculture. It consists of organic matter, water, minerals (fertilizers), and living organisms. IMG Citrus has been working to rebuild our soil ecosystem through composting and the incorporation of beneficial microbes such as bacteria (bacillus strains) and fungi (trichoderma strains). These efforts have helped us reduce our use of synthetic fertilizers by 25% and maintain or increase our yield per acre.

Water is a vital commodity, and sustainable water usage is a top priority for our farming operations. We have implemented microjet irrigation systems and automated irrigation systems on over 3,000 acres, which have helped us reduce water usage by an average of 33% and up to 66% in some areas.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) helps us reduce the risks associated with pest and disease management by promoting more eco-friendly tactics and minimizing the potential for air and water contamination. We have reduced our use of the most toxic chemicals and decreased the overall amount of plant protection materials applied per acre by 33% to 50%, leading to better efficacy and less runoff to the soil.

"The moment that the very first trailer of plants arrived at the Edge site, so did the pollinators. What the team witnessed over the next several months was nothing short of amazing."

Sustainable farming requires a continuous process of learning, innovation, and improvement. By adopting a stewardship mindset and constantly seeking ways to become more efficient and minimize our impact on natural resources, we can create a more sustainable and abundant model of production.

This article was written with contributions from Brian Randolph, Director of Grove Production.