Melissa Harwin, Highgate Farm
Post Harvest Cure and Store Facility
Grant Award: $6,000
With the construction of two 8′ x 8′ climate controlled on-site cure and storage buildings, Highgate Farms expects to reduce post-harvest product losses by up to 25%.
One room is chilled with the use of a Coolbot™ to maintain a constant temperature for both short-and long-term storage of heat sensitive crops such as salad and cooking greens, carrots, radishes, turnips, beets, broccoli, cauliflower and strawberries.
The second room is climate controlled with a combination heating/cooling unit to accommodate alliums, sweet potatoes, winter squashes and other cold sensitive crops such as 
cucumbers, melons, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and okra.
Not only will post-harvest losses be minimized, they will be able to expand their CSA, reduce labor and free-up valuable space in their value-added center. As they have not always been able to meet demand for their products, these new buildings will allow them to increase sales, open up new markets and offer a winter CSA.
Visit them at facebook.com/highgatefarmwnc
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