Rivermede is in the process of adding other cost-cutting

Tag : Thermal Fabric
When most people think about farming theyenvision long fields with rows of crops stretching to the horizon.
At Rob Hastings' Rivermede Farm there are a few cultivated fields,but a major portion of his vegetables and flowers are in greenhouses, and newer structures known as "high tunnels".
In his family since his grandfather bought it in 1906, Hastings hasbeen running Rivermede for the past 21 years.
"It's like the European approach. You buy locally. It's golden toget into." said Hastings as he took other farmers and CornellUniversity agriculturalists on a tour of his farm.
Though Hastings may still use the 1931 Ford truck parked by hisbarn, he is receptive to new ideas. "You take a little(information) from each farm, but don't use the cookie cutterapproach as it won't work."
FIGHTING FROST
One of the reasons for utilizing row covers, greenhouses and hightunnels was during the first year of operation there was frostevery month. "I decided there must be a better way. A few degreesof protection can make the difference," Hastings said.
At Rivermede, Hastings has also used "floating row covers" in whichlightweight fabric generally made of spun polypropylene is placedover the crop rows. This allows light, rain and air to reach theplants, while moderating temperatures, and keeping birds and bugsoff the plants.
Regular row covers supported on hoops are made of heaverpolypropylene. They are used for heat retention, but limit aircirculation, and prevent rain from directly reaching the plants.
The primary purpose of high tunnel agriculture is to extend thegrowing season as they protect crops from low temperatures inspring and fall. The tunnels are much lower in cost thangreenhouses. Hastings spent around $7,000 for the four 26-by-100foot tunnels, compared to $8,000 for one greenhouse.
HEATING UP
High tunnels create passive heat, as well as passive ventilation asthe sides may be rolled up and the ends are open. Emergency heatmay be added. The plastic coverings can be two layers that can beseparated by air from a small fan, and thus provides insulation.The inner layer of plastic also reflects infrared rays back to theplants.
"I want to keep this tropical plant happy," Hastings says with agrin as he refers to the suspended tomato vines. One protected areaholds an estimated 10,000 pounds of the tomatoes which he graftsfrom two varieties to allow for better growth and taste. Due to theweight, Hastings had to add wooden supports to the tubular aluminumframe. Rivermede sells approximately 300 to 400 pounds of tomatoesper week at its stand and farmers markets, and another 200 poundsthrough wholesale.
There is a good market for cut flowers, which are propagated underthe high tunnels. There are four weddings in September for whichHastings will be supplying floral arrangements.
Even though many farmers had a difficult time with their tomatocrops this summer due to excessive rain, Hastings attributes hisbountiful production to the high tunnels. Four of the high tunnelsare connected side by side by gutters, thus lowering the cost byhaving fewer supporting walls. They also serve to protect oneanother from the wind.
The plastic has to be removed in the winter due to heavy snows, aswell as to minimize ultra-violet degradation. It's rolled off theframes, and stored on the supports between the tunnels. The plasticgenerally can be used for four growing seasons.
NATURALLY GROWN
While employing organic-like methods to growing his crops, Hastingsdecided not to register his produce as such, and prefers the term"naturally grown." He keeps a supply of lady bugs in hisrefrigerator to handle outbreaks of pests such as aphids. Inaddition, his canine companion, Shelby, is an excellent mouser.
Hastings indicated that some customers are dissuaded by the factthat he classifies his tomatoes as, "greenhouse," though thisgenerally refers to hydroponically grown crops which use mineralnutrients and other materials instead of soil. Within both thegreenhouses and high tunnels, Rivermede uses farm soil.
By utilizing high tunnels and green houses, Rivermede can extendthe growing season enough to have two crops for several of theapproximately 30 products raised there.
Hastings has his ideas about the changing environment, and feelsthere are more pests attacking his plants than in the past. Heattributes this to global warming. "I'm concerned about the use offossil fuels," he said.
CUTTING COSTS
Rivermede is in the process of adding other cost-cutting,environmentally friendly and season extending changes. Solar panelswhich will generate 5,000 kilowatts are being installed, with asimilar addition planned for the future. "I know it's the right wayto go," Hastings explained.
Hastings also will be installing a geo-thermal system that willpump water in pipes through the soil in growing areas. Basically,since the water is around 55 degrees, it will help warm up the soilin the spring. Soil temperature is of greater importance than airtemperature during the planting season.
So through the fall, and with some crops such as spinach into thewinter, due to a variety of season-extending methods, Rivermedewill continue producing.
rondackrambler@yahoo.com
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Keywords:
Agriculture , Food & Beverage , Agriculture , Green Grocery , Food & Beverage Production , Produce , Agricultural Crops , Canned , Jarred & Boxed Foods , Vegetables