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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Are Organic Hydroponic Greenhouses EnvironmentallySustainable

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  • From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Are Organic Hydroponic Greenhouses EnvironmentallySustainable
  • Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 08:21:12 -0600

Marty

I would advise you to be very cautious about going into hydroponic production. Based on my experiences, it is far removed from the idea of sustainable. Besides high energy requirements, it requires intense, experienced management to keep the nutrient solution balanced (pH, buffers, CEC, appropriate nutrients, etc.). They are one big chemistry project. The idea of year-around production is nice but has it's limitations without considerable energy inputs. Perhaps moving from Hi-Tunnels to a brief season of food produced in ground beds in a minimally heated organic greenhouse will be more economically sustainable. Just be cautious about the management and energy inputs required for successful sustainable production. Each calls for lots of dollars in hydroponic systems.

Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center
www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html




Our organization is considering investing in a hydroponic greenhouse
for raising vegetables in an urban neighborhood setting. The purpose is
to produce high quality food for residents. It is important that the
energy inputs for construction, operation and removal at the end of its
productive life decrease our neighborhoods ecological foot print. That
is, we will not be taking more than we are giving back.

The backyard garden seems most sustainable. A hoop house or high tunnel
might come next. Where would hydroponics fit in? Would productivity and
low transportation costs make it worth while?

Maybe you have thought about this. I would appreciate your input.

Thanks

Marty Kraft
Heartland All Species Project
http://www.allspecies.org

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