Relentless snowfall throughout a brutal winter destroyed three greenhouses at a local family farm, dealing a crushing blow to an operation that serves schools and seniors throughout the region. Matt and Nicole Boersma, co-owners of Boersma Family Farm, lost more than 300 feet of greenhouse space when heavy snow loads collapsed the structures over time, with the final collapses occurring around February just as they prepared for the new growing season. The damage eliminated close to half of the farm's growing capacity.
One greenhouse was destroyed during a February blizzard that dumped more than 50 inches of snow while Matt Boersma was working to clear snow from between the hoop houses. The other two structures sustained damage over time from the constant snowfall before collapsing.
"With the nonstop snowfall every day and negative 30-degree wind temps for like a week and a half in the start of that, we just kept falling behind a day or two at a time and it just kind of added up," Matt Boersma said.
The 10-year-old farm has become an integral part of the local food system, appearing at farmers markets in Houghton, Hancock and Calumet throughout the summer. The operation also partners with local school districts through the Farm-to-School program and supplies produce to Copper Shores Meals on Wheels.
Read more at Keweenaw Report
