Answers to Producer Questionnaire
Beaver Creek Produce PRODUCTS & PRACTICES |
|
---|---|
Question | Answer |
List what you intend to sell. (if applicable) (e.g. meats, grains, jellies, crafts; also note if you have any heritage breeds) |
NA |
Describe your farming, processing and/or crafting practices. (if applicable) | Hydroponic Greenhouse. We start seeds in rock-wool cubes and a warming table until they germinate, then we move them to our nursery bed until they grow enough to be transplanted in our channels. Nutrient water is feed to the plants through the channel system. Our greenhouse environment is controlled with shade cloths, fans, cooling wall and heat when necessary. We package our products immediately following harvesting and then place in our cooler (except Basil, Large Cucumbers(wrapped) and tomatoes which shouldn't be kept in a cooler.) |
Describe your pest and disease management system. (if applicable) | NA |
Describe your herd health and productivity management. (if applicable) (i.e. do you use any hormones, antibiotics, and/or steroids) |
NA |
Describe your feeding practices. (if applicable) (grass-fed only, free-range, feed-lot, etc.) |
Our feeding practice is all automated and controlled by a computer system and water. Our water (Xenia Rural Water) was tested by Clemson University and they developed a nutrient schedule that is monitored and administered by a computer system 24/7. We oversee the system daily. |
Describe your soil and nutrient management. (if applicable) (Do you compost, use fertilizers, green manures or animal manures?) |
Soil-less: We are hydropoinic, or grow in water. |
Describe your water usage practices. (if applicable) (If you irrigate, describe how - e.g. deep well, surface water, etc., and explain how you conserve water or use best management practices. Describe how you are protecting your water source from contamination/erosion). |
|
Describe your conservation/land stewardship practices. (if applicable) (e.g., do you plant windbreaks, maintain grass waterways, riparian buffers, use green manures for wind erosion, plant habitats for birds, improve soil quality, etc.) |
Yes, we built our greenhouse on land we acquired from our family that has been in our family for over 100 years. Prior to construction, we worked with the Boone County and the DNR to be sure everything was done correctly. We have their blessing! :) |
Describe any additional information and/or sustainable practices about your operation that
would be helpful to a potential customer in understanding your farm or operation better. (e.g. if you are raising any heritage animals you might list breeds or list varieties of heirloom seeds. List the percentage of local ingredients in your processed items). |
Beaver Creek Produce is a joint venture between 2 brothers and their families. Mike and Tim Phelan were the only 2 boys of a family of 9 children. They were raised on the family farm and helped their parents raise corn and soybeans for years. In 2005, the boys purchased the farm from their parents and farmed part-time while working in other careers to support their families. About the same time, Tim and his family took a vacation to Disney World in Orlando, Florida and toured Epcot's Hydroponic Greenhouse and became intrigued with the possibility of starting a similar operation on the farm. Beaver Creek Produce started growing in March 2014 after Mike had an opportunity to devote more time to the farm operation. They have always been farmers at heart, and their desire to grow and offer quality, fresh produce for Central Iowans is now a reality. |
List your food liability insurance coverage, both general and product-related, as well as any licenses and tests that you have available. (if applicable) | We do not process any products therefore are not required to be licensed by the State of Iowa. |
ORGANIC PRODUCERS | |||
List which products you are selling as organic. (if applicable) | We are not organic, but hydroponic. We are Pesticide-Free. | ||
List certifying agency's name and address: (if applicable) |
NA | ||
Certifying Agency's Phone: (if applicable) |
NA | Certifying Agency's Fax: (if applicable) |
NA |
Do you have available for inspection a copy of your current organic certificate? (if applicable) | Yes No | ||
I affirm that all statements made about my farm and products in this application are true, correct and complete and I have given a truthful representation of my operation, practices, and origin of products. I understand that if questions arise about my operation I may be inspected (unannounced). If I stated my operation is organic, then I am complying with the National Organic Program and will provide upon request a copy of my certification. I have read all of the producer standards and fully understand and am willing to comply with them. | |||
I agree
| Tuesday the 8th day of July, 2014 |