clasoil's Blog

January in Michigan
Jan 29, 2009 | 4:23 PM PST
Tag: Only in Michigan

Do I hate January in Michigan or what! !  I just drove 200 miles in lake affect snow and the roads are awful.  Michigan is such a beautiful state with all the water and scenic beauty.  I love all of that unfortunately we have to put up with the down side (Winter!)  None the less, this is an exciting time for greenhouse growers.  It's time to "Fire UP" and that always means spring can't be far away.  Michigan growers ship flowers all over the country.  Today I met with a good grower who had just finished shipping fresh organic herbs (over 75,000 plants) to Seattle  Washington.  Edible fresh herbs are fast becoming a big market for growers.  Mich flower growers are finding new ways to create more income and fresh herbs and vegetables are a great help.  

Growing naturally has its challenges and new growing systems are making it much easier to create healthy plants that are chemical free!  Sadly the organic market is so poorly regulated that many growers who should never be allowed to sell organic products are using the market to sell good vegetables but not organic vegetables.  Just because it says USDA Organic don't automatically assume products are grown to organic standards.  Most of the time growers get that approval through paper work and there is very little actual policing of growing.

I say this to point out that there are many very reputable growers who are being taken advantage of by a few Jerks.  Poor regulating could be the kiss of death for this business.  Hopefully we will get a handle on this issue.  Gotta go.

 

 

Brief Introduction
Jan 26, 2009 | 5:23 PM PST
Tag: Just a student of the greenhouse industry

For the last 23 years my life has revolved around the greenhouse industry.  I have owned greenhouses for 19 years and have worked in the industry as a vendor for 23 years and counting.

Blossom Time greenhouse, our retail greenhouse has been located in Greenville, Mi.  We raise around 4000 baskets, 60,000 pots, and 1200 flats, all for retail sales.  My wife and I work together in a greenhouse supply business.  I sell natural growing systems and Sal sells greenhouse films and policarbonate.  My background is in greenhouse growing mediums.  We love the business.  Presently we have grown entire crops chemical free.  Not organic, you need to be chemical free for 3 years, but all natural.   This industry is very rewarding and presently very challenging. 

I presently work with over 1500 growers and they are more than customers they are great friends.  I look forward to hearing from others, all across the country.  I certainly don't know everything but I have seen about everything.  If I can be of any help feel free to contact.