Dusty Hill Farm
Challenge – Expansion to meet business needs
Solution – One GrowSpan Series 1000 Greenhouse
Size – 30′ wide x 60′ long
Application – Growing bedding plants and hanging baskets
Location – State Center, IA.
As a family-run business in their fourteenth year of operation, Dusty Hill Farm has become a staple of their community in State Center, Iowa. The farm grows a variety of bedding plants and hanging baskets in their greenhouse each season, has an online shop and even participates in local farmers markets.
With all this success, Dusty Hill Farm found themselves running out of space in their existing structure and struggling to produce enough plants to keep up with demand. The farm’s owner, Larry Pfantz, knew he needed a retail greenhouse that not only increased their usable growing area, but was also capable of superior climate control to improve plant quality. Amidst his search for a solution, Pfantz stumbled upon GrowSpan while flipping through some of his reading material.
“I learned about GrowSpan when I was reading an issue of Greenhouse Grower Magazine,” said Pfantz. “Ultimately, I really liked the price of their structures.”
Dusty Hill Farm decided on GrowSpan’s Series 1000 Commercial Greenhouse, a popular option amongst commercial growers for its arched roof design and low cost per square foot. In addition to the ample floor space they gained, the business also takes advantage of the structure’s abundant overhead room to maximize their growing potential. “I really like the 10′ tall sidewalls, because they give us far more basket capacity,” said Pfantz.
To ensure he could maintain the ideal growing environment during the farm’s busy season, Pfantz also decided to take advantage of one of GrowSpan’s powerful, yet efficient evaporative cooling systems. This setup helps Dusty Hill Farm keep both their plants and customers comfortable, with little effort or maintenance. “By adding the evaporative cooling wall, it’s much easier to keep the greenhouse temperature down,” said Pfantz. “The entire space stays a lot cooler, no matter what it’s like outside.”
Overall, Pfantz and his family at Dusty Hill Farm were happy with their decision to choose GrowSpan for their new retail greenhouse. “It was an enjoyable process working with GrowSpan; I wouldn’t do anything differently,” said Pfantz. “We are no longer overcrowded, and we look forward to growing in here for years to come.”
For more information on Dusty Hill Farm and their GrowSpan Series 1000 Commercial Greenhouse, visit https://www.dustyhillfarm.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/dustyhillfarm/.
