US (AR): Northark officials greenhouse tour
The tour was led by Northark agriculture instructor Matt Shekels and local berry farm owner Clyde Fenton, who is assisting in the operation of the greenhouse.
According to Shekels, the greenhouse may not be state of the art, but it is very close to it. The 30x96 structure is heated with natural gas, and the panels on the sides are guaranteed to last at least 30 years. Additionally, the two-layer inflated roof features a one-foot cushion of air that helps to insulate the structure.
Shekels told his tour group that during the severe hail storm that occurred in September, hail stones just bounced off the roof.
Hanging from the middle of the ceiling is a weather station, which, Shekels explained, communicates with the greenhouse’s computer system. Based on information received from the weather station, the computer controls such things as heating, watering and other operations. Shekels said that the greenhouse had gotten compliments from University of Arkansas officials.
The greenhouse was built with a grant obtained by Northark President Dr. Jackie Elliott.
In addition, the Northark agri program received grants from the University of Arkansas and Walmart from the purpose of studying strawberry production. As Shekels and Fenton led the group around the strawberry plants already growing, they said that Northark students will keep records of the costs of all facets of strawberry production in order to determine the most efficient method.
Source: harrisondaily.com