Wholesale Gardening and Greenhouse Grwoer Supplies

SPECIALIZING IN COMPLETE GREENHOUSE Information, Year Round Indoor Growing Supplies, New Products, Start up kits, and Free help with selling your crops for retail and wholesale greenhouse growers.

Anyone who likes to grow plants can learn how to grow in a
greenhouse, its easy, we have prove it with our greenhouses in Fiji.
Using the greenhouse to control the amount of water, plants get and
using the greenhouse to control the temperature is the main purpose
of greenhouses. A well-designed greenhouse can heat your home,
provide fresh veggies, herbs and flowers and is a magical place where
money grows. Green Earth is supporting farming practices in
Countries in the South Pacific that stop slash and burn farming. We
are now promoting the Hydro-nut grow system there. Our prices are
the lowest we can do on single purchases. We usually ship the next
day with low shipping rates. Fast friendly service always.

Wholesale Gardening and Greenhouse Grower Supplies

This Gardening site can help you find the best Gardening Supplies for your area and
crop. Find major quality Gardening Supplies at the low Internet prices.
You might want to Start a Greenhouse Business. Whether it is a Organic, Hydroponic
or Solar Greenhouse, you can turn your land into a healthy, exciting and profitable
Greenhouse business. Find many Greenhouse Supplies and the newest Greenhouse
products and ideas in this site.

Categories

30' x 96' Wood Greenhouse, plans in
book. Build for less than $1500.

Greenhouse Tomatoes
Current Situation from the
Mississippi State University
Extension Service

The greenhouse tomato
industry in Mississippi and
other parts of the U.S. has
experienced unprecedented
greenhouse growth over the
past few years. Mississippi
number of commercial
greenhouse growers has
increased 700 percent growth
over 10 years. Their most
common greenhouse sizes are
24 X 96 and 30 X 96 feet.
When more than one
greenhouse is used, they are
generally connected at the
gutter, referred to as
"gutter-connected greenhouse
bays." Most greenhouse
businesses are small,
averaging 2 greenhouse bays.

The national greenhouse
tomato industry has also
been growing rapidly, but this
is a more recent trend. From
1998 to this year, there has
been about a 40 percent
growth in greenhouse tomato
acreage in the United States.
Leading states are Arizona,
Colorado, Texas,
Pennsylvania, New York,
California, Ohio, Tennessee,
Mississippi, New Jersey,
North Carolina, and Florida.

You need Java to see this applet.

Growers take advantage of up to 10'
sidewall height. The RT™ Max Muscle
Greenhouse is widely for growers.
Additionally, the sides and/or ends can be
equipped with polycarbonate to make an
outstanding and attractive retail sales
center.

Greenhouse Features:

•Straight sidewalls up to 10'
•Choice of 30' or 35' Clear Span Widths
•4', 5' or 6' post spacing
•Pre-punched holes for easy installation
•Overhead cable braces
•Excellent for natural ventilation
•Offers maximum strength
•Gothic Pitch Reduces Condensation Drip
•For 30' Wide, Requires 40' Poly
•For 35' Wide, Required 42' Poly

Free Standing Snow Arch Series
Atlas greenhouse

Greenhouse and Gardening Supplies Wholesale with start to finish product buying information and Wholesale Supplies prices to retail greenhouses and Growers.

Cluster Tomatoes lowered and wrap
around growing container.

Green Earth Co. Melbourne, Florida USA The Gardening Network -- Free Shipping - for best price, email with quantity needed sale@greenhouse.net

Many kinds of vegetables such as cucumbers, beans,
corn and strawberries without daylight, according to
local television station Omroep Brabant. laboratory
using only red and blue LED lights. The company says
the new method means veg can be grown without
insecticides and pesticides, and water use can by cut
by 95%.

Two years ago, but experts said it would be impossible
to grow seed-bearing plants using this method, the
broadcaster says. The company is allied to the HAS
Den Bosch hbo college.

Cucumbers grown under red and blue LED light.

Produce sales up in 3rd. quarter of 2010

During the third quarter of 2010 (June 27 through
September 25), fresh and fresh-cut produce sales in
US retail increased both in volume and value
compared with the third quarter of 2009. Pepper
weekly dollar sales per store were 5.1% higher than
one year climbed 5.8%, according to the latest edition
of FreshFacts on Retail, the quarterly retail research
report of the United Fresh Foundation.

According to the research, overall produce prices
climbed in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the
same period last year. Vegetables volume sales grew
1.3%, while dollar sales increased 3.1%, with prices
up 1.7%. As for fruit sales, these increased by 2.4%
in quantity sold and 2.2% in value, a lower increase
than vegetables as a result of static prices.

By giving the plants light 24 hours a day, and making sure to give the proper amount of photon
at the proper time, crops can be grown in about 1/2 the time of normal agriculture. The
aeroponic aspects of the system enable farmers to maximize water consumption by using less
than 10 percent of the water that would be used by traditional agriculture. By coupling this
percent of their water, without an external water source, the company said in a statement.
percent of their water, without an external water source, the company said in a statement.

The Jeddah farming facility will serve as a showplace for the Middle East in what is hoped to be
the first of several sustainable farms. Saudi Arabia was chosen as the first site for the new
technology due to the strong support and partnership of Sheikh Saleh Boqshan who is
spearheading the project, in collaboration with Saleh Bawazir, general manager of Adawat
International Corporation.

"Our goal is to grow indoors without the use of a greenhouse or sunlight, and to provide 100
percent of our own water by collecting humidity from the air. This is step one. We then want to
use solar and wind power to make our farms fully self-sustaining. The AeroFarms technology
represents the best way to accomplish step one of our goals. By the end of 2011, we hope to be
growing several varieties of fruits and vegetables at the farm in Jeddah, including, leafy greens,
tomatoes, strawberries, and peppers all without soil or sunlight." said Luke Sestito, president of
The DeLeon Group, Inc. "We have met with 3 governments in the GCC and have given them
proposals to setup similar systems in their countries. The reception we have received has been
overwhelmingly positive and we hope to have similar model farms in Qatar, Kuwait, and UAE by
the end of 2011," he added.
"The people of Saudi Arabia, and the GCC in general, understand the need to conserve water
and find alternative water resources, perhaps better than any other people or any other region,
Tadco Farm in Tabuk, and see the wonderful work they are doing in growing food for the people
of Saudi Arabia, a huge farm cut out of the desert is a tribute to the hard work and genius of the
Saudi people. We hope to have a small part in helping the region explore new growing and
water collection methods," Sestito said.

AeroFarms sustainable farming systems provide a typical return on investment (ROI) of 20-33
percent. These high returns are achieved through both high revenue generation and reduced
costs. AeroFarms sustainable agriculture systems produce extremely high and predictable yields
of high-value crops, all year round. The extreme predictability of high quality and yield results in
premium pricing, contracting and private label opportunities. AeroFarms systems reduce costs
through a semi-automated and efficient design requiring less labor and reduced transportation
cost by growing locally.

Moreover, AeroFarms systems are uniquely well-suited for urban applications through its indoor,
vertically stackable design. This enables them to rehabilitate urban blight, by transforming old or
vacant buildings into productive, profitable spaces. Urban farms also create jobs for unskilled
labor and help boost the local economy. In addition, growing locally in urban centers results in
better food safety and security.
Besides, the produce is fresh, pesticide-free, local, longer-lasting, safer, and clean and dry upon
harvest.

No Sun or water needed...growing of food indoors using
LED lighting...water collected from air.

The Greenearh Project
Savusavu, Fiji Islands

US: Federal government spends millions on hoop houses The
federal government has spent millions of dollars to help farmers
nationwide buy greenhouse... see rest of story in this web sit e.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced USDA will
provide funding to help organic producers and those transitioning to
organic production implement resource conservation practices on their
agricultural operations. "Increasing consumer demand for organically
grown foods these farmers protect the natural resources on their land
and create conditions that help foster organic production."
available this year for producers to plan and implement conservation
practices that address natural resource concerns in ways that are
consistent with organic production. For example, organic producers may
use the funding to plant cover crops, establish integrated pest
management plans, Fiscal year (FY) 2011 marks the third year of
USDA's Organic Initiative, and up to $50 million is available this year
for producers to plan and implement conservation practices that
address natural resource concerns in ways that are consistent with
organic production. For example, organic producers may use the funding
to plant cover crops, establish integrated pest management plans, or
implement nutrient management systems consistent with organic
certification standards. Eligible producers include those certified
through USDA's National Organic Program, those transitioning to
certified organic production, and those who meet organic standards but
are exempt from certification because their gross annual organic sales
are less than $5,000. In FY 2010, NRCS obligated nearly $24 million
through the Organic Initiative to help producers implement conservation
practices.

“We already have LEDs in stoplights and taillights, and the car wears out before the light does,” Mitchell said.
“Because of the nature of the LEDs, heat can be removed from the emitters and the lights are low power.”

Commercial producers use incandescent high intensity discharge lamps that produce significant heat at the bulb and
consume a large amount of power. According to Gioia Massa, researcher in horticulture and landscape architecture,
the project started as a way to make more efficient lights for NASA horticulture experiments.

Massa’s preliminary research produced vertical lighting strips that emit red and blue light in various hues and
intensity. These strips are arranged around the plant to study the optimal color configurations for maximum growth
potential. “Traditional lighting is not very good for plants,” Massa said. “The fixtures we have developed are more
energy efficient and can be tailored specifically for the plants.”

The experiments will consist of exposing tomato plants to both LED lighting and incandescent lighting, comparing
results, and creating an optimal array for commercial use. Roberto Lopez, assistant professor of horticulture, will be
studying how to lower costs with bedding plants using LEDs. John Burr of the Krannert School of Management will
study the production costs and concerns for the technology.

In addition to Purdue, researchers at Rutgers University, University of Arizona and Michigan State University will be
studying LED standards and practices, optimal light wavelengths, and flower initiation techniques, respectively. The
project’s diodes will be designed and supplied by the Orbital Technologies Corporation.

The next step for Mitchell and Massa is to acquire new fixtures for the lights. The fans used to dissipate the
temperature of the electronics produce significant noise and make the greenhouse hard to communicate in. This
heat dissipation allows leaves to touch the lights directly if needed while incandescent bulbs must be placed several
feet from the plant.

The team hopes to use a better, quieter fixture and have a prototype ready for corporate demonstration within a
year. “The best part about the LEDs is that they can be arranged in a variety of ways,” Massa said. “We are now
trying to find the best spectrum for each species.”

Source: purdueexponent.org

The Japanese fertilizer Pentakeep with good results during the last two
seasons. Last week it became known that De Jong wants to move to the
new glasshouse horticultural area in Dinteloord. Asked whether he would
use Pentakeep there as well the grower replied: "There is no reason to
doubt this now!"
Cor den Hertog of Pentakeep and aubergine grower Peter de Jong

During the first year Peter used Pentakeep he found out by accident that
Pentakeep worked perfectly well against the notorious mildew. "Earlier
years I had to use sulphur till the very last moment in order to keep the
'white' away. Now from spring we extinguished the sulphur pots and they
remain so. As far as growth was concerned last year was difficult, but
'white' was not to be seen!"

The aubergine grower, a member of the growers association Purple Pride,
used Pentakeep once every fortnight two seasons ago with a double
dose, but in the meantime he changed to a weekly dose of half a litre per
dosing once every fortnight one saw the vitality of the plants decrease.
Just as with humans aubergine plants benefit from regularity."

The grower applies Pentakeep in the mornings, after which it takes one to
two hours before the plants have absorbed the fertilizer. It would even
be more favourable for the plants, if Pentakeep could be applied during a
warm, beautiful summer, according to the aubergine grower. "Sunshine is
what we want" Peter says laughingly. He understands, that fellow
growers show some restraint in using the fertilizer. "There are many
remedies available. One has to make up one's own mind.
Everybody is boss in his own garden."

All in all for Peter there are sufficient reasons to choose Pentakeep. "At
sustainability tests held by us as aubergine growers, I often score highly.
Also since using Pentakeep my production has been higher. In addition
the biological defence works better, because I do not have to use
sulphur. Even if I wanted to use Pentakeep for mildew only I would still
choose for it!"

ORBITEC’s LED Lighting Systems represent the most advanced solid-state lighting
systems currently available for biological research, plant growth and supplemental
greenhouse lighting. All systems offer modularity, with improved spectral designs,
lighting systems of virtually any size and required light output can be created.

The high efficiency and low energy consumption of ORBITEC’s LED lighting systems
typically translate to a 60% reduction in energy costs. Other benefits of LED lighting
over other existing systems (such as fluorescent and metal halide) include:
•Orders of magnitude less degradation of light quantity and quality with aging
•No ballasts, pressurized bulbs, mercury or other hazardous chemicals
•Lightweight, small size
•Lower radiant heat load
•Lower power consumption
•Longer life expectancy
•No required maintenance or light bulb changes
For information on ordering standard LED lighting products,

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES: In the next decade, plants will
become vaccines, and alternative energy sources. By 2011,
plant-derived drugs alone will grow into a $26 billion market,
treating diseases such as cancer, asthma, and chronic pain.

Strains on biosecurity and product development threaten to
reduce the full potential for plant-based products. A true bio-
based economy requires new methods for research and
production - methods that provide a safe and consistent
growing environment to reduce development risks, while
pushing the limits of traditional plant yields with a more
productive and cost-effective system.

Applications include:
•Accelerated research and development of plant-made
products
•Optimizing and validating growth and biomanufacturing
environmental conditions
•Controlled manufacturing of protein modified plants with
environmental variables tailored specifically for high yield
•Biosecure transgenic crop development
•Year-round local crops, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

ORBITEC is a partner on the BioAg Gateway initiative, a new
facility to help position Wisconsin as a leader in bio and
agricultural growth during the 21st century.

Aeroponics
Aeroponics is a cutting-edge type of hydroponic technology that
grows nutrients, hydration and oxygen needed. AeroFarms™ has
designed its aeroponic system to eliminate nozzle clogging and
reduce water consumption through nutrient re-circulation.
Compared to soil-based methods, aeroponics consumes significantly
less water due to the
Cloth Medium
AeroFarms has developed a proprietary, reusable cloth medium.
Our systems employ cloth as a conveyor for plants from one end of
the aeroponic system where they are seeded to the other end
where they are harvested. Cloth has a number of benefits such as
durability and reusability, increased cleanliness and sanitation, and
the efficient harvest of a dry and clean product.

LED Lighting
AeroFarms is pioneering the use of LED (light emitting diode) lighting
for growing and vertical farming systems. LEDs have nearly five
times more life expectancy than HPS lighting, resulting in a much
lower total cost of ownership. LEDs can also be designed in linear
and rectangular shapes that enable complete yield uniformity in
vertical farming, compared to an HPS bulb that unevenly distributes
light to the crop. Another advantage of LEDs is the ability to target
specific wavelengths of light. This allows for reduced energy
consumption, Integrated Pest Management, and nutritional
enhancement of the plants. Lastly, LEDs can be placed much closer
to the plants than HPS lights, enabling greater vertical stack-ability
of modules.
Clean, Safe and Green

Integrated Pest Management & Pesticide-Free
Growing and vertical farming in a standard building structure
changes both pest pressure and the pest environment. Plants are
grown in a machine inside the building and not out in the open
where they attract pests. Our proprietary cloth growing medium is
sanitized between every growing cycle of 18-21 days. The typical
pest cycles of more than 21 days are broken. With our pest-
resistant design, pesticides are unnecessary. No special seeds are
required, so pesticide-free seed can be used.

Reduced Contamination Risk
By removing soil from the growing of greens, AeroFarms vertical
farming systems improve food safety from contaminated manure
and irrigation water. With our systems, the greens are grown in
indoor, clean environments. Our cloth medium separates the
nutrient delivery and plant growing zones.

Clean & Dry at Harvest
By growing pesticide-free and without soil, AeroFarms vertical
farming systems produce greens that are very clean at harvest.
While growing clean greens significantly improves food safety, it
also improves the shelf life of the produce. The washing of greens
after harvest potentially exposes them to bacteria and creates a
damp microbial growing environment, which reduces shelf life. By
growing greens clean and dry upon harvest, our systems can
extend shelf life from the 1-2 weeks to 3-4 weeks for many leafy
greens.

No Run-Off
The AeroFarms vertical farming system uses a closed nutrient
method that re-circulates the nutrients to conserve water and utilize
all of the minerals. When it is necessary to purge the system, it can
be used beneficially rather than result from an unplanned rain event.

The industry is changing and companies also need to change. Mastronardi explains that
processes. The company is experiencing an increase in demand of greenhouse grown
products.

“It would not be fair of us to comment on the behalf of the entire industry, but yes we
are experiencing an increased demand for our products”, explains Paul Mastronardi of
Mastronardi Produce. “People wish to be assured they are purchasing safe as well as
high quality foods, and quite frankly, we believe that greenhouse grown produce
addresses these two “wants” the best.”

Once the focus on growing product was “shelf life”, but that has changed to growing
produce for the flavor and nutrition (quality). “Again the greenhouses of today, as well
as those of the future afford the greatest possibilities, to achieve these aspirations.”

Mastronardi is committed to supporting their customers and introducing new items to
the consumer. According to them this doesn’t always come with “bottom of the barrel”
pricing, but indicators suggest that consumers are voting for Mastronardi’s particular
value proposition with their dollars.

Greenhouse-grown products will continue to grow on a global scale, “Not solely for the
reasons quoted earlier but also for the other prudent reasons such as global weather
patterns, food safety and even food security.” Consumers are becoming more educated
on where their products come from and the growing methods in the controlled
environment of greenhouses. “ We are comfortable in where we are positioned within
this dynamic.”

For more information on Mastronardi, please visit www.mastronardiproduce.com

Viva had decided to choose Israel’s Carmel seashore area as its preferred location for growing capsicums. This, obviously, is in contradiction to the common belief of growing
in the Arava or Jordan Valley region. Unlike others in the industry, Viva is well known for its innovative thoughts and breakthroughs. This comes to play in various sectors,
whether it is growing herbs in other countries to accommodate the Israeli supply or developing capsicums in rather more distinctive regions.

Nonetheless, this choice comes as no surprise and, for a good reason. According to Mr. Leon Shtaif, Viva’s Pepper manager, the seashore area offers climatic conditions
similar to those in the Spanish Almeria. Having that said, Mr. Leon Shtaif continued proclaiming that the seashore in Israel, mostly due to its climates, allows for the growing
of different varieties which, in part, provide better shelf-life and transport suitability. “The majority of the growers come from a long history of pepper growers, 2nd and 3 rd
generations. This, unquestionable experience, is by all means adequate for perfection. I am fully confident and positive towards years to come with the cooperation
between Viva and the seashore growers”, Claimed by Mr. Yoram Ashuri, a pepper grower.

On the marketing side of things, the goal is to supply during the months of February and March which, represent deteriorating quality and quantities in Spain. “Our capacity
and readiness to meet market expectations had proven itself time and again to be successful and allow our customers to enjoy large quantities of Israeli capsicums at the
highest levels available” Claimed by Mr. Arthur Yusim, Viva’s European marketing coordinator.
As a philosophy, Viva believes in nurturing its growers and level expectations. In other words, as Mr. Arthur Yusim, points it out: “Our growers are as important to us as our
customers. The same way we strive to provide competitive prices in the market, our efforts are equally distributed to having our growers gain the highest return on their
produce. This thought is what have brought us this far”.
Aside from Peppers, Viva also concentrates on fresh herbs, carrots and strawberries. Its markets continually expand to various regions in Europe. Due to resent global
events that may shake the market, viva still believes it is suited to meet higher demands.

Contact: Omer Kamp Viva Agriculture Ltd. Tel: 972-3-686-3900 Email: OmerK@vivafarmers.com www.vivafarmers.com

Tomatoes in North America are grown to have a long shelf life because they must be transported miles and miles to get to the
majority of supermarkets. They are harvested before they are ripe, and then they ripen in the dark, giant trucks that transports
them, or in ethylene chambers. The tomato, after traveling as much as 1500 miles, the average distance food in the United
States travels, arrives green or barely ripe instead of rotten. But it tastes like plastic. And plastic doesn’t have much nutritional
value.
New York company Better Food Solutions has an idea that would get rid of the middleman and the need to transport the
vegetables to supermarkets – by growing them on the supermarket’s roof. The hydroponics firm designs, finances, builds and
operates the rooftop greenhouses at grocery stories, and eliminates the need to transport produce for miles until it gets to its
destination, cutting costs and carbon emissions.

With hydroponics, you don’t need soil to grow plants. The roots of a vegetable are immersed in water while the plant is
suspended by a medium like gravel or wool. Better Food Solutions recently merged with Bright Farm Systems, who design
rooftop greenhouses. Bright Farm Systems claims to grow lettuce with 95% less water, zero land use, and a fraction of the
energy and carbon emissions than lettuce grown using conventional agriculture.

The company has already completed three projects and are are currently working on three different rooftop farms, which includes
plans to build on the roof of an affordable housing development in the South Bronx. All of the rooftop greenhouses make use of
waste heat from the building to heat crops in the winter, capture rainwater from the greenhouse roof to recover water, and
require no pesticides because it is easier to monitor pest populations in a controlled environment. Bright Farm Systems uses
vertically integrated greenhouses, plants stacked on top of each other and suspended on vertical cables to deal with the issue
of reduced space.

The company claims it will eliminate transport costs for the retailer, meaning the vegetables will be reasonably priced for the
retailer to buy from the company, and will give the consumer fresh, tasty, nutritious produce, eaten as soon as 12 hours after it
was picked. Some restaurants have already taken advantage of roof space to grow vegetables, so it’s only a matter of time
before supermarkets catch on.

Brand new latest Blue
Grow Light is perfect for
your plants to promote
better growth. 100% of
the power input for our
LED grow lights is used
for higher chlorophyll and
organic material
production. All 450nm
blue color which can be
absorbed well by
chlorophyll can make your
plants flourish more and
thickset.

225 High Power Red Blue
LED Plant Grow Light Panel

LED Grow Light Benefits:
•Best for your Plants: Red
and Blue Mixed LED bulbs
are suitable for plants
heightening and thriving.
•Can be used to control
florescence in hydro and
restrain flowering for higher
and stronger.
•More Efficient: 100% of
the power input for our LED
grow lights is used for your
plant chlorophyll production.
•Better for Environment: It
saves 50% to 90% in
energy consumption
compared to incandescent
bulbs or fluorescent tubes.
•Less Heat: Low heated
LED bulbs will protect your
plants well.
•Less Trouble: No ballast to
burn out likes other plant
lights.
•No infrared ray and
ultraviolet radiation to
destroy your plants.
•The best lighting time (led
grow light lighting time plus
sunlight lighting time) for
plant growing should be 10-
14hrs.
•Perfect for indoor growing.
•Minimal heat to keep your
plants from burning.
•Hanging hardware for easy
to set up in minutes!
•Brand new in retail
package and ready to ship.

•Larger lighting coverage and further lighting distance
make more plants absorb the effective light in a
further distance.
•Much Safer! Our upgraded LED grow light has the
better structure of parallel connection.
•If one LED is damaged when short circuit, our
upgraded light maybe have one or three LEDs put
out, but other original LED lights will extinguish three
rows of LEDs (more than twenty LEDs).
•More convenient! AC80-265V full voltage with U.S.
standard plug for your easy using.
Specifications:

Power Supply AC80-265V 13W
Output Voltage 36V
Frequency 50-60Hz
LED Qty 225pcs
Color Red and Blue
LED Bulbs Power 0.06w x 225 LEDs (13.5w in total)
Lumen(Red/Blue) Red: 7.2Lux x 165LEDs
Blue: 4.8Lux x 60 LEDs
Wavelength Red: 660nm
Blue: 450nm
LEDs Diameter 5mm
Working Temperature -30-60 degree Celsius
Working Humidity Less than 95%
Power Cord Length 25 inch
Light Panel Size 12" L x 12" W x 1-1/2" H
Lighting Coverage 0.66 Ft - 6.6 Ft
Recommended Height 1Ft - 5Ft
Recommended Coverage One panel per 8.6 square
feet
Specific Distance and Lighting Coverage:
Distance to Plants Lighting Coverage
20inch 5-1/2 square feet
40inch 7 square feet
60inch 8 square feet
80inch 8-4/5 square feet

“I think this is a pivotal time in Kansas City. I think that we’re about to reach critical mass that so many people are interested in farmers markets, interested in organic food, interested in local
food, interested in the community-supported agriculture idea that it’s really up to the farmers to capture this moment to educate and to fill the need,” Alicia Ellingsworth said. Ellingsworth is
the farm manager at Gibbs Road Community Farm in Kansas City, Kan. The 2-acre plot is part of the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture and often sells at Bad Seed in the winter.

But lately the farm is bringing less to the market.
“This time of year … the farmers are starting to think about spring and summer, so (they’re) thinking more in the future rather than supplying the food daily,” Ellingsworth said. “But I think it’s
important that we take care of these customers who take care of us all year long.” Nearly 900 winter farmers markets are operating nationwide, according to the USDA, which counts any
market open between November and March, even if it’s open for just one day. They account for 14 percent of the more than 6,100 farmers markets nationwide.

Winter markets have a stronger base in the Northeast than the Midwest, said Stacy Miller, executive director of the Maryland-based Farmers Market Coalition. She noted that larger
population centers and a history of smaller, more diversified farms drove popularity in the Northeast.But in any cold-weather region, market obstacles include marketing and finding suitable
locations that remove customers from the weather elements. She said it wasn’t just the extra money that made winter farmers markets worthwhile for farmers. The chance to talk and share
among themselves and consumers reaps further rewards. “It’s an incredible opportunity for them to experiment with new crops, to keep in contact with their customer base and to get that
real time customer feedback,” Miller said. “And to continue to network and be with other farmers while they’re at market, which I think is an underrated benefit.” Eric Durban reports for
Harvest Public Media, an agriculture reporting project involving six Midwest public broadcasting stations, including KCUR in Kansas City. Harvest is supported through a grant from the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

UK: CambridgeHOK and Seawater Greenhouses co-operate

New technology for vegetable production in arid regions around the world providing cost effective solutions for
crop production in some of the hottest and driest regions. CambridgeHOK and Seawater Greenhouses have an
agreement to co-operate in bringing new technology to the forefront of world horticulture.
Seawater Greenhouse technology develops and uses natural processes while significantly reducing operating
costs, and produces fresh water for irrigating the crops.
Using only Seawater and sunlight and not relying on desalination equipment or fossil fuel driven systems the
concept can be adapted to suit a variety of vegetable crops from small to large scale operations with excellent
results achieved for tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce etc

Seawater Greenhouses have operational sites from Australia to Gulf region and Tenerife. In a co-operation
agreement with CambridgeHOK this innovative technology of in principle evaporating seawater and condensing
it into fresh water whilst cooling the greenhouse provides many possibilities.

Site still under
construction till
February 21st.

Canada: Nature Fresh Farms completes 32 acre greenhouse expansion

1,500,000 cartons of Beefsteak tomatoes are expected to be harvested in the 2012 Season from the new 32
acre high tech greenhouse facility. The new facility, which has been dedicated to beefsteak tomatoes, was
planted November 30th and the first harvest is expected mid-February 2012.

Nature Fresh Farms current acreage exceeds 128 acres and an additional 96 acre expansion is set to begin
2012. When completed, Nature Fresh Farms will exceed 225 acres of a broad mix of production commodities
and varieties.
Peter Quiring, President of the company, stated “We are looking to bring more variety in our offerings to our
customers and this new facility along with our sweet colored bell peppers, cluster tomatoes, specialty
tomatoes, seedless cucumbers, baby seedless cucumbers and eggplant, makes us a full line supplier of
greenhouse produce.”
Nature Fresh Farms is currently the largest greenhouse grower of sweet colored bell pepper in North America,
and the largest greenhouse grower in Canada. Nature Fresh Farms products are marketed and sold through
Nature Fresh Farms Sales Inc. Brands include Nature Fresh   &   Great Lakes Fresh branded Peppers, TOV’s,
Beefsteak, Seedless Cukes, Baby Eggplant, Amorosa   branded Cocktail tomatoes, KISS brand grape
tomatoes, Heritage brand tomatoes, Natures Flavors mixed colors and flavors bite size tomatoes.

Manufacturers

Reduce Prices to Indoor
and Greenhouse Growers

Cravo retractable roof greenhouses/shadehouses
For over 29 years, Cravo has led the world in the design and supply of retractable roof
greenhouses/shadehouses helping farmers to optimize growing conditions while protecting
hectares of crops in minutes from extreme heat, cold, wind, hail, snow and insects. Our
specialization and experience has helped us to create a wide range of structures, roof
coverings and drive systems to meet your crop requirements, weather conditions and
budget. Our retractable roof houses have been installed in all climates and have withstood
the extremes of snow, hail, and wind including seven hurricanes.

Our extensive experience and focus on understanding crop responses and return on
investment has culminated with the development of the "Retractable Roof Production
System" ( RRPS)™. This production system allows farmers to produce more food per
hectare, producing larger fruit with a longer shelf life, over a longer harvest season while
using less water and virtually eliminating chemicals. Farmers accomplish this simply by using
the retractable roof to take advantage of the benefits of the natural outdoors, a greenhouse
and a shadehouse environment while avoiding the negatives of each.

The RRPS™ helps farmers increase the profitability and sustainability of food production
particularly in warm and hot climates helping the world cope with the shortages in food, water
and energy. With sales offices in Canada, Mexico, Spain and Turkey, Cravo is well positioned
to help growers worldwide produce crops more profitably and sustainably while coping with
the erratic changes in global weather patterns.

Watch the Video of X Frame, a lower cost Cravo retactable roof greenhouse. on You Tube

Cravo Retractable Roof Greenhouses and “The Retractable Roof Production System” ™

X Frame, a lower cost Cravo retactable roof greenhouse.mp4

X Frame

Roof Covering
RC02 white or clear (woven and
coated)
Protection Provided
Protects crops from excessive cold,
heat, hail, wind and rain.
Distinguishing Features
Lowest cost A Frame house.
Roof is supported from rods instead
of trusses.
Water drains to valley in the roof
and then falls to the ground unless
optional gutters are installed.
Wind and Snowload designs when
roof is closed
120 kph winds with roof and walls
closed
21kg/ m2 snow or hail load

Cravo Equipment Ltd.
30 White Swan Road
Brantford, ON,
Canada N3T 5L4

Cravo retractable roof greenhouses