MAX FACTS
growing tips, news and trivia
Organic Grapes
Awe Sum Organics, the largest importer of organic apples
and organic kiwifruit in North America, will become the first
importer to supply organic red and green seedless grapes
to the United States beginning in late December. These
Peruvian grapes, the first ever organic seedless grapes
to arrive in the northern hemisphere during winter, will be
available through to the end of January. Awe Sum Organics will also have a supply of Peruvian organic red globe
grapes, with exceptional size, color and flavor.
(Source: freshplaza.com)
Greenhouse Certified for Sustainability
The Macfarlane Greenhouse facilities at the University of New Hampshire have received a top grade
for sustainability from The Milieu Project Sierteelt Group in the Netherlands known for its global
greenhouse sustainability certification program. The Greenhouse was graded on energy, water and
fertilizer use; crop protection methods; and waste management—including CO2—procedures. The UNH
facility is the first research and teaching greenhouse in the world to participate in this certification
program. During review, Macfarlane Greenhouse operators were commended for cleanliness,
organization and recycling practices. They were recognized for their value in providing students with
a venue for hands-on experience with industry-relevant research. The 25,000-sq.-ft. greenhouse
facility, built in the 1940s, recently switched from fluorescent fixtures to LED lighting and has plans to
implement a rainwater catchment system that uses gutters to transport water into a submerged tank.
(Source: unh.edu/campusjournal)
Growing Marketable Hydroponic Greens
What is a speech therapist doing growing vegetables hydroponically for market? It might sound odd, but for Patty Phaneuf, it is the
result of a lifelong passion for both gardening and finding the most sustainable way to grow vegetables commercially. “Hydroponics
is the way of the future,” says the Lafayette, Louisiana, resident, who decided to start her own business, Specialty Greens, once her
kids went to college a year ago. She grows high-quality greens, chard, spinach, kale, micro greens, gourmet lettuces and herbs in a
1,500-sq.-ft. area indoors. Patty delivers to businesses in Lamorinda and adjacent Bay Area cities free of charge and sells hydroponic
systems to hobby growers. She
is working on a home delivery
system for her produce and is
also looking for retail partners.
(Source: lamorindaweekly.com)
24
Maximum Yield USA | January 2014