Nov 19, 2014

Will the End Justify the Means?

While hydroponic growing seems to be the next big expansion for many greenhouse growers, some are still hesitant to make that leap. It can be a costly endeavor, but the return on investment can be huge. In the October issue of GPN, Maxwell Salinger, a research horticulturalist with CropKing Inc. discussed how growers both big and small could implement hydroponic production without breaking the bank. Read his article below:

Implementing Hydroponics: Will the End Justify the Means?
You can utilize that empty greenhouse space and diversify your crop offering by tapping into a new market.

By Maxwell Salinger

The greenhouse industry has experienced many changes over the past decade. Most recently the margins and the demand for certain ornamental crops has begun to diminish. This leaves many greenhouses that were once booming looking for ways to diversify their crop, or utilize the empty greenhouse space.

Why not tap into the expanding market of locally grown pesticide-free vegetables? Leafy greens such as Bibb lettuce, kale, Swiss chards, arugula and basil as well as vining crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers can be sold in numerous venues ranging from farmer’s markets to grocery stores to high end restaurants. Single heads of lettuce fetch on average $1.50-$2 and even as high as $4 a head at farmer’s markets.

Reaching Out to Current Customers

Some ornamental growers may even have an existing on-site market or store that would allow for the easy sale of vegetable crops to current customers. Introducing vegetable crops to existing customers can be a great way to extend sales past the spring bedding plant rush.

There are successful growers like Yarnick Family Farm in Indiana, Pennsylvania, who produce a combination of field vegetables and hydroponically produced tomatoes and lettuce in a controlled-environment greenhouse. They have actually developed their farm into a tourist destination. Yarnicks have found that not only will people travel longer distances to visit an authentic farm, but will also pay a premium price for local products from a farmer that they know and trust. The Yarnicks have been in business for more than 30 years and attribute much of their success to the fact that they are so diversified – from vegetable plant starts, to hydroponically grown tomatoes, cucumbers and beans – and their customers enjoy the shopping experience at the Yarnick Farm Market… [Click here to read the full article]