it’s infrastructure week on the small farm!!...led grow lights. use less energy and produce less...
TRANSCRIPT
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It’s Infrastructure Week on the Small Farm!!
What We Talk About When We Talk About Infrastructure
Permanent
● Water lines, electrical lines, seedling greenhouses, wash stations, walk-in coolers, high tunnels
Seasonal
● Low hoops, caterpillar tunnels, drip/overhead irrigation,
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Basically...
it’s a support structure that helps you succeed at growing vegetables.
Things to consider:
● Your farm’s production priorities● Financial resources● Skill set/Capacity
● Who will be using this?
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A Little Bit About Us
Mad Farmers Collective
● 1.5 acre mixed vegetable farm in downtown Indianapolis● Primary crops include: salad greens, root vegetables,
tomatoes, herbs● Vegetables are sold to 5-10 restaurants throughout the
year, as well as a summer and winter farmers’ market● 3 owners, 1 full-time employee, 1-2 part-time seasonal
employees
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Production Priorities
High-quality produce and transplants
Production Priorities
Chemical-free Production Practices
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Production Priorities
Growing Season: February through December
Production Priorities
Generate Sufficient Revenue
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Financial Resources
● Modest
● Reluctance/inability to take out loans for capital improvements
● Pay-as-we-go for investments
● Fundraising strategies
Skill-set/Capacity
Diversified
Multiple owners, broader skill-set
Lean Crew
Limited time during the season
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Who Will Use This Infrastructure?
● Owners
● Employees
● Volunteers
● Random farm visitors
Infrastructure Choices to be Discussed
● Seed Starting/Transplant Production
● Season Extension
● Wash/Pack Infrastructure
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Seed Starting/Transplant Production
Starting Off Strong
Seed Starting/Transplant Production
GREENHOUSE
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Seed Starting/Transplant Production
GREENHOUSE IMPROVEMENTS
Seed Starting/Transplant Production
Reasons for the improvements:
-ambient temperature needs to be higher
-airflow needs to be increased
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Seed Starting/Transplant Production
COSTS OF IMPROVEMENTS
● Added about 40% to the initial costs
● Is it worth it?
Seed Starting/Transplant Production
OVERFLOW TUNNEL
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Seed Starting/Transplant Production
SEED STARTING
Seed Starting/Transplant Production
HEATED BEDS
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Seed Starting/Transplant Production
HEATED BEDS
Seed Starting/Transplant Production
GERMINATION CHAMBER
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Seed Starting/Transplant Production
GERMINATION CHAMBER
Seed Starting/Transplant Production
FUTURE ADDITIONS?
LED Grow Lights
.●Use less energy and produce less heat than full spectrum lights.
●These lights have a repeating pattern of 3 red and 2 blue LED bulbs.
This combination will visually produce pink light.Different color light helps plants achieve different goals. For example,the blue light helps encourage vegetative leaf growth. Red light, when combined with blue, allows plants to flower.
(From Nolts Greenhouse Supply Catalogue)
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SEASON EXTENSION
● Year-Round Income● Serves Multiple Roles
SEASON EXTENSION
WIRE HOOPS
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SEASON EXTENSION
LOW HOOPS
SEASON EXTENSION
FARMERS FRIEND TUNNEL
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SEASON EXTENSION
FARMERS FRIEND TUNNEL Improvements
SEASON EXTENSION
FARMERS FRIEND TUNNEL Pros and Cons
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SEASON EXTENSION
FARMERS FRIEND TUNNEL
SEASON EXTENSION
NIFTY HOOPS
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SEASON EXTENSION
NIFTY HOOPS
SEASON EXTENSION
NIFTY HOOPS
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SEASON EXTENSION
NIFTY HOOPS Pros and Cons
SEASON EXTENSION
NIFTY HOOPS
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SEASON EXTENSION
PAYING FOR THE TUNNELS
● Crowdfunding (Barnraiser, Kickstarter, Go Fund Me)
● Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - EQIP
● Out of Pocket
WASH/PACK INFRASTRUCTURE
Reasons Why This is So Important
● Attractive, high-quality product
● Minimizes Spoilage
● Minimizes Contamination
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WASH/PACK INFRASTRUCTURE
ELEMENTS of OUR SYSTEM
● Roots and Bunching Greens
● Salad Greens
● Walk-In Coolers
WASH/PACK INFRASTRUCTURE
Roots and Bunching Greens Wash Station
● Materials
● Purposes
● Flow
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Roots and bunching greens wash station
WASH/PACK INFRASTRUCTURE
Salad Greens Wash Station
● Rationale
● Equipment
● Costs
● Assessment
(image from Dry Your Greens)
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WASH/PACK INFRASTRUCTURE
WALK-IN COOLERS
● 1 large● 2 small
WASH/PACK INFRASTRUCTURE
WALK-IN COOLERS
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Every Week is Infrastructure Week!