Volante Farms received federal and state funding for the energy efficient, state-of-the-art greenhouse. “Hopefully, this will be the example people will go by for growing greenhouses.” “It provides a more even, efficient growing environment,” Teri Volante said. The new greenhouse also utilizes micro-irrigation, which has a tube inserted directly into the flowerpot to water the plants and avoid any spillage. “It’s the epitome of a green greenhouse in that it’s environmentally friendly.”Įbb-and-flow benches, which fill up with water and drain, provide more even crop watering, a heated floor, a roof that opens and closes, and special shade curtains to trap heat are among the other features of the new greenhouse, much of which is regulated by a control panel that monitors changes in the weather. “It utilizes the natural resources around us,” said Teri Volante, who also works at her parents’ farm. The facility is also able to collect up to 10,000 gallons of rainwater in a large tank, which is then used to water the plants. The more efficient features include a boiler with 90 to 95 percent efficiency, compared to the 70 percent efficiency of the old boilers. “It’s good for the environment, and we work with the environment every day.” “With rising fuel costs, that would minimize the advantage, but the hit, proportionally, is way less,” Dave Volante said. “It’s a more fuel-efficient product,” said Dave Volante, the construction manager and the son of the farm’s president and vice president, Al and Melodie Volante. The new greenhouse consolidates work previously done in six smaller greenhouses and has energy-efficient features that will help the folks at Volante Farms deal with rising energy costs. The new greenhouse, construction of which began last June, will be officially unveiled March 29 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Patrick’s Day, the new greenhouse at Volante Farms was dressed for the occasion: pansies, fuchsia, geraniums and violas with green stems and leaves sitting in pots evenly lining the ground, tables and hanging from the ceiling.
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