Green Wagon Farm
Challenge – Four-season production
Solution – One 24’W x 72’L GrowSpan Gothic Cold Frame
One 16’W x 72’L GrowSpan Round Cold Frame
Application – Transplant and crop production
Location – Ada, Mich.
Green Wagon Farm was established in 2010 by Chad Anderson. It has grown from a small market farm to a 100 member Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) and is settled on 11 acres in Ada, Michigan – a suburb of Grand Rapids. The farm sells its goods at local farmers markets, delivers to area restaurants and grocers, operates a 100 member summer CSA and is piloting a 20 member year-round CSA this year. Chad married in 2013, and his wife, Heather, joined the business. Since then, Chad and Heather have managed the farm together.
In 2010, when the farm was established, Green Wagon needed a solution for the farm’s transplant production needs. Chad asked other growers in the Grand Rapids area for the best resolution, and the name Growers Supply kept coming up. The Andersons went on to purchase a 24′ wide by 72′ long GrowSpan Gothic Cold Frame from Growers Supply in 2010, and recently purchased a 16′ wide by 72′ long GrowSpan Round Cold Frame in 2014, due to the original tunnel’s success. Both GrowSpan cold frames are being put to good use. Heather said, “We are highly satisfied with the level of customization and ease of use that the high tunnels have brought to our production. We’ve moved locations several times during the lifetime of our farm, and reinstallation of the high tunnels has been no problem.”
This winter the farm used the high tunnels for the in-ground production of a sweet crop of spinach. Heather said, “We’re plunging into more intensive winter harvests this season, and we’re excited to take advantage of the natural sweetness of winter crops.” The GrowSpan high tunnels have helped Green Wagon Farm elevate their business, and Heather said, “The high tunnels have allowed us to extend our growing season. We now are able to plant in them all four seasons to help supply our year-round CSA.”
Growers Supply offers a onestop-shop for farms, like Green Wagon, where they can purchase an assortment of growing products under one roof. Heather said, “We’ve always been satisfied with the wide selection of products and friendly customer service that Growers Supply provides. The company has been very helpful when price comparing and trying to find specific products.”
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