Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education
(SARE) Farmer Grant.

Background

Fresh spinach has not been locally available throughout the year in New York State. Root rot disease caused by Pythium aphanidermatum is a primary reason why spinach has only been sporadically produced in the United States in hydroponic systems. Research at Cornell University has identified a solution to the root disease problem that now makes it feasible to grow spinach in a hydroponic production system similar to that used for lettuce. This project expands upon previously funded NYSERDA projects and is the next step towards full-scale commercial spinach production.

Project Design

The project design involves two compartments of a greenhouse range, one devoted to prototype-scale commercial production, and one to supportive research with careful control of the crop production cycle, temperature of the root zone and nutrient solution. Areas of research include cultivar selection and seeding protocols, repeated harvesting, exploring the feasibility of root zone management to reduce nitrate and oxalate concentration, and long-term nutrient solution management strategies. Prototype-scale continuous production permits testing production techniques that have only been practiced on a research scale, as well as developing methods for harvesting and packaging that are necessary for full-scale commercial production. This project includes developing production methodology that meets the highest standards of food safety. Sales to local retailers, restaurants and institutions offer a diverse customer base upon which to test marketing strategies, to include tracking product quality and shelf life as influenced by harvest and packaging options.

Outcomes

Knowledge and processes developed through this project will prepare Finger Lakes Fresh to begin full-scale commercial production of fresh baby spinach at the conclusion of this project, resulting in increased availability of year round local produce, creation of new jobs, and economic returns to Challenge and the local community.

 

NYSERDA PON 998

Alternative Media for Seeding Growth for Short Crop Cycle Baby Spinach and Salad Mix Production in a Hydroponic Greenhouse

Background

The cost of available media used to grow produce that is planted to full density (without transplanting) and has an extremely short growth cycle is expensive to purchase, and creates further costs and environmental concerns with regards to storage and disposal. Before proceeding to larger scale commercial production of spinach (and other salad mix products), this project allows us to determine if there are alternatives to current growing methods using peatlite that can significantly reduce these costs and preserve natural resources.

Project Design

The research consists of pilot work to address technical design issues with the media alternatives and two stages of formal experiments. In stage one, we seek to determine the least amount of peatlite required per plant that maintains product yield or quality and also determine the feasibility of using plastic pellets in crop production as opposed to just in research. The second stage in the research will test the re-usability of the two media.

Outcomes

The research data collected will allow us to start to come up with comparative costs and time estimates for using each of these media options, and weigh this information with other factors such as crop productivity plant quality and long-term use of natural resources. The results from this project will add to knowledge and agricultural practices that can reduce costs, increase farm income and conserve protect natural resources, making year round production of seasonal foods more profitable and more accessible for adoption by farmers in the Northeast.