Marolda Farms gets in the organic fig game

Marolda Farms Inc., nestled in Vineland, NJ, is a trusted family enterprise renowned for its cultivation of both conventionally and organically grown leafy greens and herbs across nearly 400 acres of land.

At its helm are Rich and Sherry Marolda, a dynamic duo who have nurtured not only their crops but also their bond over a quarter-century of marriage. Their legacy is carried forward by their son, Richard Marolda Jr., who serves as production manager for the company and champions the farm’s organic endeavors. Under his stewardship, the organic program has flourished, symbolized by the Rock & Roll Organics label, a brainchild he proudly developed once stepping into a leadership role within the farm’s operations.

In 2008, Marolda Farms’ organic journey began with a modest five acres, marking a significant milestone. Today, this commitment has blossomed, with more than 120 acres dedicated to organic produce, a testament to Marolda Jr.’s enduring dedication to sustainable farming practices. Its main organic products are cilantro, dill and parsley. This year, an additional 30 acres of organic land were added, further indication of the growth he anticipates for the future.

Richard Marolda Jr., Production Manager, Marolda Farms 

“The market itself puts out its annual numbers for produce sales and the organic sales increase year over year, so that trend is really promising to see,” Marolda Jr. said. “Also, this growing region in the last few years—ever since COVID—has gotten a second look. So, [buyers] are looking for more production out of this area. When you’re getting a resurgence of business, organics present a real opportunity to grow with the market.”

He noted the margins for organic-grown produce are better for the grower, even though these crops are more expensive to grow and more difficult to manage. The payoff is there once you figure it out. “For me, the growth I am seeing in sales correlates with me having my own retail label from Day 1 and it gives me something to work off of,” he said. “It only makes sense to continue increasing our organic offerings.”

To that effect, in 2024, Marolda Farms will be introducing a line of organic figs under the Rock & Roll Organics label. “That’s really exciting for everyone here,” Marolda Jr. said. “It’s something that no one else appears to be doing and I believe it has a great future for us.”

But that’s not the only new organic item coming to the farm.

“I’m going to play around with organic passionfruit as well just to see how it goes,” Marolda Jr. said. “I’m very optimistic about the direction we are going in.” Other avenues of growth will come from new certifications, which Marolda Farms is working to increase in the year ahead.

“We did some fair labor training and are looking to get into fair labor certification this year, alongside with the PrimusGFS food safety audit,” Marolda Jr. said. “My customer base was interested in this. It was presented to me as something that was one of the next steps for the future, so I thought it would be good to get into now. The fair labor certification also deals with regenerative agricultural practices, which I have been doing for the last couple of years.”

By getting these certifications, he is ensuring that the direction of the farm is strong for the future. “I’m leaning really hard into regenerative practices,” he said. “I just bought a roller crimper this year. I have some rye that I seeded this fall. I am going to roll and crimp down the rye and try to plant some soybeans or grain corn into it. Depending on how that goes, I might try applying a crimping system into vegetable production. That’s an aspiration of mine.”

"When you’re getting a resurgence of business, organics present a real opportunity to grow with the market.” - Richard Marolda Jr.

The farm also makes a strong commitment to Integrated Pest Management, using IPM practices such as crop rotation, cover crops, multiple seeding, and off-season manure applications to combat pests and disease.

“On the organic side, we are using organic fertilizers, but on the conventional side, we have been moving more and more away from synthetic fertilizer—we don’t use any more synthetic dry blends and we are phasing out synthetic liquid blends,” Marolda Jr. said. “We’re replacing it all with organic versions.”

Rich in tradition yet forward-thinking in its approach, as Marolda Farms continues to expand its organic offerings and embrace sustainable practices, the future looks promising.