reinventing year round local food production in minnesota, 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Reinventing Year-Round
Local Food Production in
Minnesota
P.I.s: John Erwin, Julie Grossman, Mary Rogers, Carl Rosen,
Greg Schweser, Joanne Slavin
Scientists: Justin Carlson, Esther Gesick, Liz Perkus
Red Dot Potato Chip Greenhouses in Wisconsin ca. 1956
Historically, food in Minnesota was grown in greenhouses…
Pork and Plants, Altura, MN
Project objectives
• Identify 5 ‘high opportunity’ vegetable/fruit/herb crops to sell at local grocery stores, Coops, restaurants and farmers markets that can be produced in MN greenhouses
• Determine how environment and production system affects crop growth and yield
• Determine how environment, and production system affect nutritive value of selected crops, and whether the nutritive value of locally produced produce differs from imported produce
• Conduct an economic analysis of deep winter greenhouse production of selected crops
• Reach out to growers to maximize their success and establish an advisory committee
How did we choose the vegetables?
• Five high-opportunity
crops
• Focus group of
restaurateurs, existing
growers, co-op and
grocery stores
• Crops selected based
on:
– public interest
– potential for year round
production
– feasibility of targeted
production during high
profitability periods
– perceived health
benefits
An Overview:
Commercial Survey
• Explore existing greenhouse conditions
Organic Fertility Study
• Evaluate different fertility options
Day/Night Temperature
Study• Determine optimal
temperature conditions
The Crops
Commercial Survey
1. Bachmans
2. Bergens
3. Engwalls
4. Pork and Plants
5. Tangletown Gardens
6. UMN Twin Cities
A. Garden Goddess
B. Lida Farm
C.Paradox Farm
http://geography.about.com/library/blank/blxusmn.htm
Commercial Survey Test Sites
32
6
4
5
1
A
B
C
Conventional and Deep Winter
Conventional Greenhouse Deep Winter Greenhouse
Conventional Greenhouse
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
90.0
Nov 01 Nov 08 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 29 Dec 06 Dec 13 Dec 20 Dec 27
*F St Paul Greenhouse
TMPA TMPD
Heated Greenhouse – St Paul
75°F
50°F
Deep Winter Greenhouse
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
90.0
100.0
110.0
120.0
Nov 01 Nov 08 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 29 Dec 06 Dec 13 Dec 20 Dec 27
*F Paradox
TMPA TMPD
75°F
50°F
Deep Winter Greenhouse – Ashby
What we’re growing and
measuring1. Mesclun Mix –
Arugula, Mizuna, Red
Giant Mustard
2. Kale
3. Strawberries
1. Spinach
2. Cucumber
Measuring:
• Harvest yield
• Environmental
conditions
• Vitamin C content of
select crop
• Photosynthesis light
and CO2 curves
Organic Fertility Study
Treatments
1. Conventional Comparison – CalMag (15-5-15)
2. Fish Emulsion – Drammatic (2-5-0.2)
3. Poultry Litter – Sustane (8-4-4)
4. All in One Potting Mix – Purple Cow (0.5-0.2-0.4)
5. Carol’s Mix – Greensand, Rock Phosphate, Blood Meal,
and Lime; from “The Northlands Winter Greenhouse
Manual”
Mesclun mix (Arugula, Mizuna, and Red Giant Mustard),
Spinach, and Strawberries
Guiding Questions
• Which fertilizer grows the best yield?
• Is there a difference in nutritional value for
consumers?
• Do these fertilizers work well in
greenhouses?• Is there microbial activity breaking down organic
matter?
• Do different fertilizers have more plant available
nitrogen at different times?
Mesclun Harvest
All in One Conventional
Comparison
Carol’s Mix Fish
Emulsion
Poultry Litter
Conventional
Comparison
yield very
similar to
organic
treatments
All in One has highest
yield for Mizuna and
Red Giant Mustard
Arugula yields
similar across all
fertility
treatments
Vitamin C Concentration
Mizuna Red Giant Mustard
Co
nve
ntio
na
l
Co
mp
arison
Po
ultry
Litte
r
Fis
h E
mu
lsio
n
All
in o
ne
Ca
rol’s
Mix
Co
nve
ntio
na
l
Co
mp
arison
Po
ultry
Litte
r
Fis
h E
mu
lsio
n
All
in o
ne
Ca
rol’s
Mix
Day/Night Temperature Study
Growth Chamber
• Using growth chamber
• Can control
– Light
– Temperature
– Humidity
– Wavelength spectrum
http://www.aikonchem.com/upload/topimg/120930161250.jpg
Treatments
10°C 15°C 20°C 25°C 30°C
10°C 10-10 10-15 10-20 10-25 10-30
15°C 15-10 15-15 15-20 15-25 15-30
20°C 20-10 20-15 20-20 20-25 20-30
25°C 25-10 25-15 25-20 25-25 25-30
30°C 30-10 30-15 30-20 30-25 30-30
Day Temperature
Nig
ht Tem
pera
ture
Mesclun Mix (Arugula, Mizuna, Red Giant Mustard), Kale, Strawberry,
Spinach, Cucumber
Kale Plants
Kale Leaves
Acknowledgements
• MnDrive
• Bachman’s, Bergen’s, Engwall’s, Pork and Plants,
Tangletown Gardens
• Garden Goddess, Lida Farm, Paradox Farm
• Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers
Association, Minnesota Nursery and Landscape
Association
• Seward Cooperative, Lunds/Byerlys, Kim Barton
