Eric McClam says he tries avoid using off-site materials as much as possible.By Robert Johnson
City Roots co-founder Eric McClam says he likes to show off his urban farm in the Rosewood community.
"At any point in time anyone can come and take a tour of the farm, we offer self-guided tours to anyone," said McClam.
Synthetic substances are not allowed at City Roots. The co-founders argue that sprays and chemicals would damage the ecology and environment that supports the farm.
McClam says he believes his customers feel they can trust in his organic methods.
"We also keep bees, not only for their honey, but for pollination, we raise chickens not only for their eggs but for the fertility they add back to the soil," McClam says.
Bill Evans says he still uses commercial fertilizer for his blueberry farm in Lexington, but he also prefers not to use pesticides.
"Then I had a fruit fly, and I was either going to have to go out of business or deal with the fruit fly. The only way to deal with it at the time as with insecticide," said Evans.
He said he noticed more bees after the change, and he says it translated into better pollination for his plants.
The Clemson Organic Certification Center reports that more farms are using organic methods each year.
