August 2024 - 36

SGAFT | BY PETER KONJOIAN
Geometry: Small greenhouse
surface area distribution
The primary focus of the Small
Greenhouse and Farm Technology
(SGAFT) project is to view technology
adoption through the needs
and means of small growers. My
commercial growing years were
spent operating a small-to-medium
size retail greenhouse range with my
parents and brother. A career filled
with small grower experiences has
prepared me to advocate on behalf
of fellow growers and the unique
challenges they face.
GET BIG OR GO HOME
Industry experts have historically
shared the message that operational
efficiencies bring growth. Small
growers constantly hear about
the benefits of building more
greenhouses. There's no intent here
to discredit the advice; no suggestion
that we don't enjoy selling out of
crops and increasing production
space. After all, who doesn't like
building a shiny new greenhouse?
There is, however, a quiet part
rarely spoken aloud that SGAFT is
committed to amplifying. Specifically,
we understand that getting bigger
brings benefits. Many of us don't see
building more greenhouses as an
option. Is the path to success blocked
for growers living with this reality? Can
small and successful work?
HARD WORK ISN'T ENOUGH
The quiet part SGAFT is intent on
discussing is: How does one operate
profitably knowing that a small
greenhouse range or farm is more
expensive to run?
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AUGUST 2024 GPNMAG.COM
I say embrace the reality that
small will not run as efficiently as
large ranges. Relieve the pressure
of trying to keep up with multi-acre
operations. Managing day-to-day
demands is already pressure packed,
who needs more trying to overcome
an impossible challenge.
Yes, we understand growth brings
efficiency, no argument there. But, the
other side of the story is that some
of us possess neither the ability nor
desire to grow larger. It's not that
we're lazy; we're all in when it comes
to working harder. But in today's
complex tech driven world, working
harder isn't enough. If we're going to
be small and successful, we also need
to work smarter ... brain and brawn.
How will we compete while paying
more than our larger cousins for pots
and poly?
A first step in tackling profitably as
a small grower is understanding where
our costs are higher because we're
small. Our challenge is arranging
the puzzle pieces - all of them -
correctly, so good decisions can be
Many of
us don't see
building more
greenhouses as
an option.
made. Easy costs to grasp include
supplies, in which list prices include
quantity discounts. Repeating, I'm not
challenging these market realities, I
enjoyed qualifying for discounts on
pots and fertilizer based on the size
of my purchase as much as anyone.
That's not my point.
Is it a poor choice to buy ten units
of something to qualify for a discount
when we only need two to get through
the next season?
If it takes four years to use the
remaining eight units, the same
experts telling us that bigger is better
would say: Slow down partner, take a
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August 2024

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