5 Simple Steps to Integrate Hydroponics on your Farm
A seed was planted in your head that a container farm could add an extra source of income to your operation, but now you're wondering what's needed to make that a reality? By the end of this post, you will know more about what steps to take to make this a profitable addition to your farm.
1.Decide what to grow in your container farm.
The growing possibilities are numerous with a hydroponic container farm. You can grow over 140 varieties of leafy greens and microgreens year-round, such as lettuce, kale, pak-choi, basil, and mint.
Ask yourself:
What is the availability of produce in my area?
Is there a shortage of anything specific at the grocery store?
If I'm running a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm, what can I add to the offering box that my customers will like?
Consider the type of climate you live in and what cultivars are in demand but can't thrive within it, both seasonally or year-round, to stand out from others. Think about growing timelines and how often you can be harvesting. Read through our full list, available through the Cultivars Guide, and see what would work for you.
2.Evaluate your market.
Now that you’ve picked what to grow, figure out if there is enough demand in your area for it.
This step requires you to do a bit of research.
Start making calls and having conversations with your local grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets, or other potential customers of locally grown produce (ex. school cafeteria). You’ll also want to consider how big the population is in your area and if you have any competitors.
Walk into your local store and check retail prices. The listed prices will give you a sense of what you can sell your own produce for and if the price will support a reasonable return.
You’ll also want to ask about current wholesale prices - if restaurants can switch and source local greens for less, both sides win. If you currently sell wholesale, ask if you could diversify by supplying new varieties of greens.
You can also see how other projects have added Grower systems and if it can work for you.
3.Assess your financial options.
The Growcer has various funding supports, financing, and leasing options, and we work with you to find the best one for your situation. Our ROI Calculator is a quick way for you to find out if there is a return on investment based on initial estimates.
You can also have a more in-depth conversation with a Growcer rep who has experience working on projects with farmers across North America. They can work with you to determine an ideal mix of cultivars and optimal channels to sell to get the most return.
4.Integrate the system into your existing farm operation.
If you already run a farm, a container farm can help you diversify. Diversifying your farm through hydroponics allows you to tap into a year-round profitable growing system that uses little water, inputs, and land than traditional agriculture while requiring less manual labour.
Identify existing sales channels and think about adding Growcer greens to complement what you’re already selling. For example, is there an opportunity to extend your CSA to a year-round subscription service? Do you currently sell eggs and feel customers would also buy fresh greens? Adding a container farm is just that - an addition to what you already do - so make it work with what you have.
5.We’ll nail down the specifics for you!
The final step is to have a conversation that is specific to your situation. Contact us with your questions, and we’ll help you figure things out!