Thursday, June 4, 1998 | 2:19 a.m.
"We really do grow things here," she said, pointing to the garden site that she and her husband, Ray, cultivate. But she has had to postpone planting tomatoes and other vegetables that need warm weather.
"Even with a cover the tomatoes just wouldn't survive," Johnson said. "I'm starting to believe that El Nino may be affecting the weather that we are having."
The Johnsons left high-powered jobs and for the past three years have been part of a "hire your own farmer" program in which people pay ahead of time for vegetables. That ensures the farmers a market for their produce when they are ready.
"We were both in corporate management 10 years ago and stopped because life is just too short," Johnson said.
Now they're facing stress due to the cold spring weather. But Johnson is philosophical, saying, "This is a gambling state and farming is a gamble."
The Johnsons, who recently became the first certified organic farmers in Nevada, use natural fertilizer and compost to aid growth. To rest the soil, they rotate crops in the different sections of the garden each year.
For pest control, they use ladybugs and praying mantis, which eat the problem bugs.
With the new certification, their customers are assured that everything they get is organic - no pesticides involved.
"Certification is the consumers' best guarantee," says Peggy Mckie, Nevada Division of Agriculture inspector.
The market indicators say that consumers are demanding more organic products, according to Mckie. She adds that since farmers can get a better price for organic goods, it is important to distinguish their products.
"People get into organic farming for a lot of different reasons," Mckie said. "But mostly, they get into it because they feel it is the best way to farm."
To be certified, the producer has to verify that the land has been free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for three years. The producer must also keep a record of everything applied to their product and land. Once certified, the producer has to agree to not use any prohibited products. Farmers must get recertified each year.
Since April, the Johnsons and a few other farmers have been certified and several more are in line for the designation.
Dick Post, cooperative extension horticulture specialist, says organic farming isn't much different from regular gardening. But, he adds, some methods for pest and disease control that people believe will work are based on testimonials and aren't proven.
"I think it is good, as long as it is using the proper methods and not (ones based on) unproven testimonials," Post said. "Maybe sometimes insecticides and pesticides are necessary and if they are used correctly, there is no problem."
It is no longer necessary to attend farmer's markets to find organic products. There are now stores that specialize in organic food. And some farmers, including the Johnsons, are going online to sell their products.
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