Originally published in Issue 4 Regardless of whether growers refer to using an integrated pest management (iPM) or integrated pest and disease management (iPDM) program, it won’t be successful if they don’t plan it out. “Ironically, one of the biggest misconceptions greenhouse growers have with controlling pests and diseases is actually related to the success of their control programs,” said Karin Tifft , an integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) consultant. “If growers are doing a good job, it seems simple. But when things go wrong, they can go wrong in a big way.” Tifft works primarily with greenhouse vegetable…
Author: David Kuack, UrbanAgNews.com
Originally published in Issue 4 The GrowHaus is refining its production methods and product mix to satisfy its expanding customer base. In July when Tyler Baras took over as manager of The GrowHaus’ hydroponic greenhouse operation in Denver, Colo., he knew that some changes were going to have to be made. Prior to taking the position, Baras had worked at 3 Boys Farm Inc. in Ruskin, Fla., which was the rst certi ed organic recirculating hydroponic farm in the United States. While in Florida, Baras grew gourmet greens and heirloom tomatoes for high-end clientele including Disney World, Epcot and Emeril’s…
Originally published in Issue 3 Randy Butts spent 10 years working as an engineer before he made the decision to do what he really wanted to do—become a grower. Randy Butts started Eden Farms Inc. in Lebanon, Ind., in August 2006. Before starting his hydroponic greenhouse operation he got sidetracked for 10 years working as an engineer in the automation and controls industry. “I always wanted to move beyond the engineering field and work for myself,” Butts said. “I had a deep-seated love of agriculture. For a period of time I did some traditional farming. I worked for a farmer…
Originally published in Issue 3 Industry consultant Bryan Hart talks about what it takes for growers to run a successful business and issues they are facing regardless of where they are located. Bryan Hart is a greenhouse industry consultant who has 24 years of experience working as a consultant and/or grower. He has worked with growers in seven countries, including the United States. Hart sat down with Urban Ag Products to discuss issues growers are dealing with regardless of their business size, market or location. Q. When consulting with new growers about starting a greenhouse business, what is the most…
Originally published in Issue 3 When it comes to using supplemental lighting on their crops, growers have options whether they’re trying to achieve a photoperiodic or a growth response. An increasing number of growers are using supplemental lighting for photoperiodic control and for accelerating plant growth. Growers have a variety of options when it comes to the type of lights available and how to use them most effectively. Growers who decide to use supplemental light to accelerate crop growth should expect to have to modify production schedules and possibly change some of their cultural practices. High intensity discharge lights James…
Originally published in Issue 1 Whether a grower chooses to propagate in rockwool, cellular foam or an organic substrate, there are other factors that can impact crop production. Since lettuce, greens and microgreens are relatively short term crops compared to other greenhouse vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, a grower has to make sure that he starts out with a consistent substrate and quality seed. Sylvain Helie, an agronomist and phytotechnologist at Jiffy products of America, said one of the key factors in growing lettuce, greens and microgreens is having a good seed supplier. “Before a grower chooses a substrate he has…
Originally published in Urban Ag Products Issue 1 There are many factors to consider before starting a greenhouse vegetable operation. greenhouse grower Richard Billekens discusses some of the most imPortant considerations before getting started. An increasing number of eld vegetable growers and ornamental plant growers are considering adding greenhouse facilities or using current structures to produce vegetables. Richard Billekens has 28 years of experience in the production of greenhouse vegetables. He has worked as a grower in the United states, Canada and Mexico. He has also worked as consultant in the United states, Canada, Mexico, Russia and Sweden. He is…
Horticultural lighting researchers are asking for industry feedback on a proposed performance label that would provide uniform information on lamps used for horticultural applications. Sponsored by How much easier would it be if growers had a standardized label that could be used to compare lamp performance metrics for horticultural applications? Growers interested in comparing the performance between different light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or comparing LEDs to high pressure sodium lamps (HPS) would be able to look at the lamp labels to determine which meets their production needs. Horticultural researchers at several U.S. universities have developed a proposed standardized product label…
Originally published in Urban Ag News Issue 1 Growing Power founder Will Allen is using urban agriculture to bring healthy fresh food to all economical groups in communities nationwide. Growing power Inc. in Milwaukee, Wis., is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Founder and CEO will Allen never imagined that this non-pro t organization would have become a major voice for urban agriculture not only nationally, but also internationally. “When I first started out I was already farming,” Allen said. “I bought the last piece of farmland in Milwaukee for selfish reasons. I needed a place to sell my farm…
With continuing concerns about water availability, safety and regulations, more growers are looking at water treatment to protect this vital resource. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is scheduled to release a report on the impact of climate change in March 2014. A leaked copy of the final draft identifies key risks that could occur because of climate change. One of these key risks is related to the lack of availability of drinking and irrigation water to farmers and the impact it could have on their livelihood. The draft indicates that increasingly rising temperatures will reduce renewable water…