I feel like you’re the type of person who makes conscious decisions about what you eat. Sure, you may indulge in the occasional creamy puff of whatever, or greasy nachos (ahem…girl’s gotta have a guilty pleasure). But for the most part, those of us who are deeply engaged with growing food for the masses, are fairly good eaters. You probably skip the fast food joints, opting instead for a salad-to-go from the local grocer. You may even frequent your local farmers’ market, gobbling up the freshest organic strawberries, as you know they’re one of the dirtiest fruits. Eating clean and…
Author: Katie Ketelsen
Thinking of expanding your greenhouse’s footprint? Yeah, I bet you are. More greenhouse means more growing space, thus more product, which should mean more revenue. But do the numbers always add up so easily? No, is the quick answer. There are a lot of factors to consider before you get all giddy about a larger greenhouse operation. In our final feature with Matt Fox, owner of Fox Greenhouses, he shares how he determined it was necessarily to add more greenhouses to grow his business. But not before careful calculating. Quickly, after talking with Matt, there were several questions that…
Aquaponics. Sounds like a perfect way to create a balanced diet: Lettuce, fish, throw in some chips, a nibble of chocolate and I’m game. But aquaponics is so much more than good eats. It’s a method to help feed the masses within a close-looped system that utilizes a fraction of the energy required of a more traditional model. While aquaponics has been around for years, it’s gaining popularity as our concerns for food safety, water quality and overall food sustainability are on the rise. The general application for aquaponics is to use the excretions from the fish to help fertilize…
While I’m a self-proclaimed, learn-from-my-own-mistakes, kind of gal, I wouldn’t want to test my luck with a commercial greenhouse operation. I’m betting you wouldn’t either. Everyone wants to know what not to do. In part three of our four-part series featuring Fox Greenhouses from Dallas Center, Iowa, Matt Fox humbly shares what you really want to know: You’re a rookie if you… 1.Think you can grow through winter, without supplemental lights. Don’t even try it. Either quit for the season, or invest in lighting. Consider perusing our sponsor Hort America’s website to learn about the advantages of LED lighting. 2.…
For years I’ve been telling anyone who would listen: “We need to get back to doing business on a hand-shake.” Embrace the honest-to-goodness partnerships our grandfathers’ grandfather built his farm on while cultivating respect and neighborly loyalty. Throw the contracts out the window, trust your gut, and start being real with people. Stop shaking your head at me. Don’t write me off just yet. While our ancestors’ way of business will never return to our 21st century, we’re not far off from my fantasy. There is a movement already happening towards this mentality. Our farmers’ markets are the perfect example.…
We love sharing urban ag goodness. It’s a celebratory moment for all when we hear news such as Whole Foods building a rooftop greenhouse and partnership with Gotham Greens. And how The Farmery is creating their own version of what grocery shopping should look like. Both fascinating and exciting for our industry. In our latest Urban Ag Products edition, there was a lot of goodness to share. See a 60 minutes special edition featuring Columbia University Environmental Health Sciences Professor Dickson Despommier sharing the basics of hydroponics and his vision for the future. You’ve heard about TEDx right? A viral…
While every greenhouse operation has its struggles, northern regions are burdened with environmental elements that could make or break a business, in one season. Read how Matt Fox, owner and founder of Fox Greenhouses located on a Century Farm in Dallas Center, Iowa, combats the weather and turns a nice profit in a shorter growing season for part one, of a four-part series. 1. Like a well-oiled machine, keep your greenhouse fine-tuned. When I asked Matt what kind of maintenance was involved with operating a greenhouse, he quickly took me back to my childhood. When we would tediously wrap our windows with…
Randy Butts, owner of Eden Farms Inc., spent 10 years working as an engineer before he finally listened to his heart and made the decision to do what he really wanted to do: Become a grower. Quick question….. Seriously though. Do you love your job? Take a cue from Randy and start following your dreams. Do it already! Alright….enough with that. Obviously, I found Randy’s story inspirational. What kind of guy leaves a presumingly well-paid job for a career in agriculture? Let me tell you friends, it’s a rarity. But he’s living the dream. You can see it in his…
Most of us have had the dream or are dreaming right now (because you wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t) about owning your own greenhouse. Dreaming about taking early morning walks through the peaceful rows of hydroponic modules filled with crisp greens. Savoring the taste of the freshest tomato ever, because you just pulled it from its vine, in your very own greenhouse. I’ve been there. Believe me. I know your yearning, wholeheartedly. I know how your ambitious drive is fueling your dreams. I also know how that drive might, unintentionally, be inhibiting you from seeing some truths about what…
Much like selecting the lights for your Christmas tree based on size, shape, and color to create the perfect, nostalgic effect; selecting the appropriate supplemental lighting for your greenhouse, must also take the same care. Well…..okay. Maybe you’re not quite the holiday fanatic I am (Did I mention Christmas too soon?) But the bottom line is there are several options for greenhouse lighting, whether you’re growing for pretty flowers, tasty greens or both. Our David Kuack consulted industry experts to help explain the differences between four supplemental lighting options: High Intensity Discharge Lights (HID lights), Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Multilayer Production, and Induction…
The Farm Kings Make Me Want to Move to Pennsylvania – Today There are a lot of things I’m envious about at Freedom Farms, run by a family of Kings. Let’s start with Lisa: single mother of 10 kids (nine boys, one girl) and every one of those kids adore the heck out of her. Love her to pieces. Would do anything for her and respect everything she says. (There’s a book idea here somewhere and I’d read it front to back time and time again). Can you imagine the endurance it would take to raise that many kids (most…
The image that stopped me dead in my internet-surfing tracks: A hydroponic lettuce vending machine. This brilliant machine can be found in Japan. It’s brilliant. Brilliant. Let’s move these in next to the vending machines in our schools, workplaces and hospitals. (I’d say “replace” the candy vending machines, but a girl needs some chocolate every one in a while). But seriously, I can’t tell you how often I’ve craved a good salad. I’ve just been too lazy or hungry to hop in the car, travel down to the restaurant just to wait 20-30 minutes for some good, fresh greens. This could…
I’ll admit it: I judge a book by its cover. I can’t help it. I’m simply visually stimulated. I suspect most women are — at least I know several who were oohhhing….and…..ahhhing….over this UK campaign to plant more flowers. If you’ve got a moment, press start. The site is beautifully designed, complete with soothing tweety birds. Ahem…so back on topic. When it comes to food packaging, I can be even more judgmental. Here are a few urban farming companies whose product looks sooo good, I could literally eat it. Heck…I don’t know, maybe it is edible. Maybe their packaging is made from…
Who doesn’t love a good strawberry? If not for a fresh-from-the-garden boozy strawberry lemonade, I don’t know how I’d make it through a hot and humid Iowa summer. I’m sure Riococo knows exactly what I’m talking about. Look at these gorgeous “fields” of strawberries flourishing in Riococo coir substrates. Learn more about Riococo’s growing products, including Grow Bags and Coco Blocks here. Be sure to give them a big ‘ol LIKE on Facebook too. Brooklyn Grange is planting seeds. Are you? I have a hard time containing my excitement for these rooftop gardening folks! In the heart of New York, Brooklyn Grange…