Whether you are starting a new venture, or you are an experienced commercial greenhouse farmer, it is important to be aware of the many different ways in which you can market your business. From branding to marketing to the use of social media, there are many ways to reach out to your potential customers.
Agricultural Worker Protection Standard reduces pesticide poisonings
Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the health of workers and bystanders from agricultural pesticide use. It is part of EPA’s pesticide regulatory program and is aimed at reducing pesticide poisonings and injuries among farmworkers. You can click the link to read more about this legislation.
A large number of agricultural workers suffer from pesticide poisonings each year. EPA estimates that 20,000 agricultural workers are poisoned each year. These exposures can lead to short-term illnesses and long-term health problems. This translates into fewer sick days and lost wages for the workers and their families.
A worker must wait at least four hours after pesticide application before entering the treated area. In addition, workers cannot work in an application exclusion zone (AEZ) while the application is being conducted. An AEZ is defined as an area surrounding the “points of discharge” of the pesticide application equipment.
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) was originally promulgated by the EPA in 1992. During the past several years, the EPA has revised the rule, in an effort to protect farmworkers.
Proper planning is needed when establishing a new greenhouse
Whether you are a new grower or a seasoned veteran, proper planning is necessary when establishing a commercial greenhouse farm. Your choice of site will greatly affect your profit and labor costs.
The microclimate within your greenhouse will vary depending on the type of plants you are growing, the design of your greenhouse and the materials used to build your greenhouse. You will want to choose a site that has the best microclimate possible for your specific type of plants.
The most obvious benefit of a greenhouse is the ability to provide a controlled environment for the plants inside. Providing adequate ventilation and proper drainage will allow your plants to breathe and grow at their optimum.
A compelling personal and company profile is essential for greenhouse farming
Choosing the best company to do business with can be a challenge for the uninitiated, but it can be a fun and lucrative experience for those looking for an alternative to their traditional 9-5. In fact, a commercial greenhouse farm can be a boon to the local economy as well as provide for a better quality of life.
Aside from providing a greener and more environmentally friendly option to produce fruits and vegetables, it can also allow the commercial farmer greater control over the growing environment.
Taking a more scientific approach to the questionable decision, the following are the top ten best practices for farming with a commercial greenhouse: a) choose the location; b) know your crop; c) have a business plan; d) do your homework; e) have a checklist of items to check off; f) be prepared for the worst. A good business plan accompanied by a well-rounded team of employees and a solid shopper base should see you well on your way to success.
Cost analysis
Increasing the profitability of greenhouse farming involves a number of factors. The biggest factor is price. However, labor inputs also have an effect. The combined effect of labor inputs and agrichemical inputs can be more significant.
A grow house operation is a high-risk, high-profit endeavor. For this reason, it is important to estimate revenue. This can help grow house growers reduce their costs and make better crop selections. This method is easy to generalize to other annual bedding plants.
A grow house can also be used to artificially create a specific environment. This may include temperature, light, and air humidity. It also allows growers to control the level of carbon dioxide.
The USDA has developed software to estimate heating fuel costs for selected grow house designs. It also models day/night temperatures for grow houses and calculates natural gas prices. Click the link https://www.usda.gov/ for more information about the USDA.
Compared to other types of farming, grow house technology can reduce the environmental impact of crop production. This technology is also a critical element in food security in food-scarce areas.
Market research and feasibility studies
During the last two decades, grow house farming has made a substantial contribution to agricultural intensification. However, it has its limitations.
Among the many challenges in grow house farming, pest control is a key concern. International regulations have been enacted to control pests, and biological control has become a preferred method of pest control. Despite the advances, pest control is not necessarily the most practical approach for grow house farming.