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Show Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, May 13-16, 2017 B-7 The Park Record Novice farmers in Wyoming are ready to take on the challenge of vertical farming CHELSEA COLI The Sheridan Press SHERIDAN, Wyo. (AP) — Joe Wesnitzer’s goal of yearround growing has taken his farming off a horizontal plane to new heights. Behind his house, Wesnitzer constructed a greenhouse filled with more than 1,000 plants, most of which don’t root themselves in soil, but out of a vertical system instead. University of Wyoming extension horticulture specialist Karen Panter, Ph.D., said vertical systems have been available for about 20 to 30 years but recently gained popularity. She said while some older systems use peat moss, the latest technology is a hydroponic system, which forgoes soil and grows vegetables in a nutrient solution. Though homemade, Wesnitzer’s system is no exception. He said he erected the greenhouse last year. He finished it in August and started planting in January, after the cold spell of December passed. Wesnitzer said he used about two pallets of 4-inch sewer pipe for the towers, which he then cut strips out of and sanded for planting. Each tower is connected to pipe at the top and the bottom. The pipes are then connected to a nutrient tank that contains a mixture of water and lettuce formula fertilizer for hydroponic farming. The water is pumped to the top pipe, fed down through the tubes of plants by gravity, and then through the bottom pipe and back into the tank to be reused. Wesnitzer said he grows mostly greens — kale, arugula, chard and basil — but is also trying to grow cilantro in the vertical system. But Wesnitzer’s quick success is not the norm. Panter said she’s seen many people get too deep too quickly. “What I worry about is that people don’t really understand what they’re getting into,” Panter said. She later added, “There’s this mystique about hydroponics and growing vertically and all this other stuff which is fine, but it’s also an easy way to lose your shirt virtually overnight. There’s a lot of room for error in a hydroponic system like these.” She said in hydroponics the grower has to supply everything the plant needs because it’s not in soil. “It’s harder to grow hydroponically,” Panter said, “and when you add the vertical system to it, the learning curve is pretty steep. So for someone that is a novice, it’s the hardest way to grow plants.” She said the other thing people fail to consider is technical glitches. The system needs electricity to pump water through. It needs even more electricity if it’s using artificial light. So when weather causes power outages, while plants may be sheltered, unless there’s a backup generator, they’re still in trouble. She said the best plants for vertical systems are smaller plants with a quick turnaround, like lettuce, spinach and other salad greens along with some herbs. She said anything that has a threedimensional growth pattern, like tomatoes and cucumbers, don’t work well in a vertical system. There is, however, disagreement as to whether hydroponically grown vegetables are as healthy as soil-based vegetables. For example, a 2015 study done by Chenin Treftz and Stanley T. Omayne for the University of Nevada, Reno, examined the nutritional difference between hydroponically grown strawberries and raspberries with those grown in soil. The experiment concluded that soilless strawberries yielded a higher amount of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and polyphenol compounds by 74 percent, 53 percent and 22 percent, respectively. The study found the opposite for the raspberries, yielding higher Vitamin C and polyphenolic compounds in the soil-based plants by 83 percent and 67 percent, respectively. Panter said she doesn’t think there’s a difference in the final product. “From a scientific viewpoint, as long as the fertilization and everything for the plant is optimum, there’s no difference,” Panter said. Despite the hurdles of vertical systems, the method does have its benefits. Vertical systems allow the grower to make maximum use of space. Panter said, as an example, a horizontal plane may have one lettuce plant per square foot. A vertical system would also have one plant per square foot in the tower leading to eight to 10 plants per square foot of floor space. Again, there are conflicting studies on which method uses more energy and is more environmentally efficient. A 2015 study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health — which compared land, water and energy requirements of hydroponically grown lettuce to soil grown lettuce — found hydro- ponics to require less water but more energy and therefore not be a sustainable alternative to conventional lettuce farming. But the study also said the technique and technology are promising. It said hydroponic growing uses land and water more efficiently than conventional farming and as time reveals how scarce these resources may become, the system could become more appealing to city planners. Panter said the technology regarding water usage as well as fertilization has drastically advanced in the past decade or so. While she said the Dutch are leaders in the technology, Wyoming is home to one vertical farming equipment company that she knows of, Bright Agrotech. She said though she doesn’t know for sure what the impetus is behind the vertical movement, as she’s received numerous calls about it, she thinks it’s the local foods movement. And while she admits there are many benefits, she wants people to know what they’re getting into. Wesnitzer said the reasons he decided to grow vertically were bigger than that. He said he wanted to maximize space, conserve water and extend the growing season. He said he uses about 50 gallons of water a day for about 1,000 plants and thinks he can grow year round. “If people really understood greenhouse crop production they would realize this is one of the toughest ways to grow plants there is,” Panter said. “Just growing in a greenhouse in a normal situation is very rewarding and it’s a lot of fun but there’s a lot to it, a lot more than meets the eye.” SOME OF THE PETS AT NUZZLES & CO. LOOKING FOR LOVE These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 pm., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Sandy Goggles Liesl Sophie Sandy is a sweet 3-year-old female pit bull terrier mix. She has lots of love to give. Sandy would do best in a moderately active household. She needs some basic obedience training and reinforcement but is eager to learn and eager to please. Goggles is a very sweet 4-yearold Great Pyrenees mix. He may be a little shy when he first meets someone but warms up quickly. He would be great as the only pet in the home. He’s dog selective, so a proper introduction with other dogs is essential. Liesl is a friendly 18-month-old pit bull terrier mix who is looking for an active home where she can let loose and have fun. She is young, energetic and smart. She loves to play. Liesl will need a confident owner who is willing to continue training with her. Sophie is a 7-year-old lab mix who loves to spend time with people. She enjoys going for walks and loves to be outside. She may be a senior by dog standards, but is energetic and has a zest for life. Sophie would be a wonderful addition to an active family. ZigZag Snuffy Batman Samurai ZigZag is a friendly and snuggly 3-year-old domestic shorthair. This handsome tabby and white boy loves to love. He gets along well with other cats and loves to groom and cuddle. He loves warm laps and naps in the sun. ZigZag is a total sweetheart. Snuffy is a handsome, loving tabby and white domestic shorthair. He’s about 11 years old, and would love to find a forever home where he can be someone’s best friend. He loves attention and is happiest wherever his people are. This sweet boy is a total lovebug. Say hello to our resident superhero! Batman is a dark, handsome 4-year-old domestic shorthair. Luckily, he doesn’t have the same brooding personality as his namesake; he’s very friendly and loves to relax in the sun. He also gets along with other cats. Samurai is a sweet and curious 1-year-old domestic shorthair. She has a gorgeous patch tabby and white coat, and sparkling green eyes. Samurai would be happiest as the only pet in her home, but she promises to love you as much as 10 pets would. WANTED: VOLUNTEERS These organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words. Summit Land Conservancy Summit Land Conservancy is an environmental nonprofit working to permanently protect the beloved open spaces in Summit County. You can see the results of the group’s work when you walk your dog in Round Valley, enjoy the Mid Mountain Trail or fly fish on the Weber River. Volunteers are needed to assist with biweekly recycling and join the Adopt an Easement program. To stay in the loop with other upcoming volunteer opportunities, sign up for the newsletter at wesaveland.org/get-involved/stay-informed. For information on current opportunities, contact caitlyn@wesaveland.org. Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District Basin Recreation is looking for volunteers with a passion for play to be Park Ambassadors. Park Ambassadors patrol the parks, interact with park users, report maintenance needs, assist with tournaments, promote park safety and encourage an overall positive use of public space. For details, visit www.basinrecreation.org or contact Angie Greenburg at 435-640-8476 or agreenburg@basinrecreation.org. Wasatch Womenade Wasatch Womenade is a nonprofit providing financial assistance to local women and children in need. Volunteers are needed to host small social gatherings as mini fundraisers for victims of domestic violence. The group’s mission is to provide aid for items outside the scope of what beneficiaries could otherwise provide. Beneficiaries include Peace House, the Children’s Justice Center and the Summit County Victim’s Assistant Program. Visit wasatchwomenade.org for details. To host an event, contact Jane Morrison at 435-645-8764 or wasatchwomenade@gmail.com. Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter needs volunteers. Each Saturday, there are several shifts that support the front desk staff during open hours. Give museum tours, run the climbing wall, greet guests and more. Volunteers must enjoy working with the public and have a passion for the natural world. The EcoCenter also can use office support on weekdays. Call Gail Piccoli for information at 435-7978956 or email her at gail.piccoli@usu.edu. Volunteer Drivers Wanted Summit County is looking for volunteers to drive senior citizens to their doctor appointments in Salt Lake City. Any interested individuals need to go through background and driving-record checks. They should expect to dedicate four to six hours on Tuesdays. Individuals interested in volunteering and any seniors interested in using the service should contact Heather Nalette, Summit County senior citizens coordinator, at 435-336-3014. For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/volunteers 4200 North 400 West Oakley, UT 84055 435-783-5575 |