CIFT News

Extending Seasons and Profitability Through a Growing Environment

The Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) has initiated a hands-on demonstration project, in conjunction with Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse, designed to portray the highest economic potential for production of produce throughout the entire year. Through the construction of a hoop house, a feasibility study will determine what plants are appropriate to plant and when these plants pose the most economic return.

A hoop house can be constructed in various sizes with galvanized steel arches covered with plastic film conducive to the growth of numerous vegetables. These structures are an economical way to increase profits of growers, provide a competitive advantage entering the market place, effectively use minimal land area, and enjoy energy savings compared to traditional greenhouse structures. Hoop houses are typically temporary frames with no permanent foundation. The structure is covered with polyethylene plastic with adjustable sides for ventilation purposes enabling for cheaper means of temperature control than the standard mechanical options.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how a growing season can be extended at the beginning and end of the traditional seasons. The controlled environment will be monitored for the most appropriate amounts of sunlight, irrigation, temperatures, and growing conditions.

Equally, and most importantly, crops will be selected based on the ability to thrive in the environment during the particular growing season. Under these circumstances, a crop will be suitable for market as much as a month in advance to the traditional means enabling the producer to generate a higher profit.

A key component will involve the timing associated with completing harvest of one crop in order to prepare the growing environment for the next plant. Often times, a crop may still be producing product but it no longer demands the premium price point. Recognizing this and advancing with the next product will enable the grower to once again enjoy a product ready for market in advance of the commodity produced version and justifiably gain an economic and competitive advantage.

The Center for Innovative Food Technology will utilize technical resources to plan the crop cycle, maintain records of temperatures and growing conditions, monitor multi-crop applications and timing, ensure Good Agricultural Practices for food safety considerations, and develop pricing structures ensuing economic viability.

Hoop houses have been utilized in growing environments in various capacities but not always to their full potential optimizing economic returns. Partnering with another non-profit organization demonstrates applicability to urban environments and profit potential through growing food for local consumption. Increased demand for local food supply from retailers, chefs, and institutions is unlike any other phenomenon within the food industry. Having the capability to raise local produce outside the typical growing season of Northwest Ohio, opens market opportunities for growers but also presents consumers with a high quality product for a longer period of time.

Initial investigations summarize the structure of a hoop house, potential applications, equipment required, and operational elements. Upon completion of the feasibility study, the economic analysis will be available to growers and organizations interested in advancing this method of food production in their own operations.

For more information contact CIFT at 419-535-6000.

Please watch the Bittersweet Farms hoop house construction process on our slide show.

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