AGENDA. Background Planning Sequence What is Hydroponics? Types of Hydroponics Greenhouse Const & How it Works Production & Marketing

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2 AGENDA Background Planning Sequence What is Hydroponics? Types of Hydroponics Greenhouse Const & How it Works Production & Marketing

3 Background Kwajalein, (Marshall Islands) miles southwest of Hawaii Fresh produce was arriving by ship from Oakland, CA 2-3 week voyage. Hydroponics First introduced to us This wasn t a new idea. Tried it out with permission Professor from the U. of Hawaii helped us get started. We chose tomatoes as our crop

4 History Angus Cows New Zealand/Flemish Giant cross rabbits Cornish cross chickens Lamb and sheep

5 Westover Farm My wife, Adele, and I now have 10 acres in Maple Valley, WA 6 acres in a Choose and Cut Christmas tree business

6 We currently have 4 greenhouses totaling 8000 sq ft and grow a variety of hydroponic vegetables

7 Planning Sequence The planning sequence that follows applies to all forms of agriculture: The market The crop The growing environment The growing system Management Financial analysis

8 HYDROPONICS 101 Hydroponics is the scientific method of growing plants in systems isolated from the soil, and fed with the total water and nutrients required. Hydroponics not give total control of the plant. It takes considerable skill and experience to grow a commercial crop.

9 Why Hydroponics? Crop yields are usually slightly higher Faster crop turnaround and extend crops into higher priced periods The soil may be unsuitable and cheaper land can be used Water usage can be much lower Fertilizer usage can be much lower Water availability to the roots can reduce stress on plants For crops vulnerable to soil diseases, crippling losses can be substantially reduce or eliminated Better conditions for planting and harvesting Weeds can be reduced or eliminated

10 Types of Hydroponics 6 basic types of Hydroponic Systems Wick Water Culture Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain) Drip (recovery or non-recovery) NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) Aeroponic

11 The growing mediums: Coconut coir Perlite Rock wool Saw dust Sand or Gravel

12 Wick System This is a passive system, which means there are no moving parts

13 Water Culture Simplest of all active hydroponic systems Water culture is the system of choice for growing leaf lettuce, which are fast growing water loving plants.

14 Ebb and Flow This system works by temporarily flooding the grow tray with nutrient solution and then draining the solution back into the reservoir

15 Drip Systems Probably the most widely used type of hydroponic system in the world The timer turns the pump on and nutrient solution is dripped onto the base of each plant by a small drip line

16 Nutrient Flow Technique (N.F.T.) N.F.T. systems have a constant flow of nutrient solution so no timer is required for the submersible pump

17 Aeroponic System Probably the most hightech type of hydroponic gardening Because the roots are exposed to the air unlike the N.F.T. system, the roots will dry out rapidly if the misting cycles are interrupted

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27 Ventilation System

28 GRO LITE SYSTEM

29 GRO LITES and Growing Media

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31 Before After

32 SO HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Site Preparation Bulldozer, rocks, sand, post hole digger, concrete, concrete forms, etc Greenhouse - 30 x130 Frame, ground cover, 2 layers 6mm plastic, wiggle wire poly lock, lumber, inflation fan, etc Greenhouse systems Including 2-48 exhaust fans, poly vented end wall, 6 horizontal air fans, solar irrigation control panel, thermostats, misc.fitting, cables, turn buckles, PUC pipe etc. Electrical Including labor, materials including 6 high intensity fluorescent lights $3000 $6237 $4231 $2921 TOTAL $16385

33 Upgrades Replaced ground cloth $510 Propane gas line $ ,000 BTU propane furnace $ watt HPS gro-lights, 220 volt $9893 Electrical labor +materials and scissor lift rental etc $5900 SUB-TOTAL $18373 TOTAL GREEN HOUSE COST $34758 *Does not include normal repair and maintenance of facility and equipment

34 SO HOW DOES IT WORK? A small solar panel when activated by the sunshine accumulates a charge of electricity

35 Solar Irrigation Control Panel I set the panel based on how many times a day I want the plants watered and how many seconds at each watering

36 The control panel when activated by the electrical impulse, sends an electrical signal to a solenoid valve which opens and allows the nutrient and water to go to the plants Solenoid Valve

37 When this picture was taken, my plants were being watered 12 times per day and each watering lasted 16 seconds Each plant is fed by a spaghetti hose with a sprayer stake.

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39 Cost of Propagation Propagation mats, heaters $ Elle pots Plant clips Plant string and reel Spray or dripper stakes 2.1 GPH $.026 -$.05 each $.01 each $.48 each $.20-$.23 each Spaghetti hose (2500ft)/Black Polyethylene Hose 3/4in (500ft) $50.00/$120 Currently have my tomato plants started in British Columbia- 400 plants pinched gives me 800 stems $ During growing season we use approx 25 lbs ( )Tomato formula, 15 lbs. Magnesium sulfate (Epson salts)and 25 Calcium on a weekly basis 896 Gro-bags- lay flat. Incl. Frt- per bag 39x6x4 ¾ bag dry- will support 3 tomato plants $ 53.00/week $ 2.20 Thrip cloth on intake end of tomato house $70.00 We utilize integrated pest management and buy beneficial insects: lady bugs, praying mantis egg cases, etc. Apply 3-4 times during the season We bring in Bumble Bee Hives for pollination Monitor bag infestation by use of yellow stocky cards. $25.00 approx. cost each application $125 each $.31 each

40 Tomato production RENTON Lbs/Month 1000 lb/month May June July August September

41 Tomato Production Tacoma 1000 Lbs/Month lb/month May June July August September October

42 Tomato Production Puyallup lb/month 1000 Lbs/Month May June July August September October

43 Tomato Production Mercer Island 600 Lbs/Month lb/month August May June July Augost September October

44 Tomato Production Mapple Valley Tomato Production Maple Valley 600 Lbs/Month lb/month August May June July Augost September October

45 Total Production per year lb/year GRAND TOTAL Years

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