Lipman Goes Under Cover With Large-Scale Greenhouse Installation
Immokalee, FL-based Lipman, North America’s largest open field tomato grower, recently installed five acres of retractable roof Cravo greenhouses at its Naples farming facility. “We are developing a sustainable, hybrid growing system to capture the best of both outdoor and protected agriculture. The retractable roof design makes it possible for our crops to grow under natural outdoor conditions, while protecting them from wind, cold, heat, and rain,” said Gerry Odell, chief farming officer for Lipman.
By protecting crops from harsh weather conditions, not only is the harvest season extended, but plant growth also is accelerated — which leads to a larger volume of quality tomatoes and vegetables. “It’s the best of both growing methods: Tomatoes have the cosmetic beauty of greenhouse-grown fruit, with the firmness and taste of the open field,” Odell added.
To learn more about Lipman’s sustainability intiative with greenhouses, visit lipmanproduce.com/greenhouse.