Jon Klimstra, TK Family Farm
Apple Cold Storage Facility
Grant Award: $8,00
Jon used his first AgOptions grant in 2016 to establish a high-density apple orchard and was able to harvest 541 bushels of apples by his third season. In 2019, another AgOptions grant helped them set up a packing line, which streamlined their operation and allowed them to expand the orchard, which yielded over 1,000 bushels in 2021.
TTK Family Farm’s final grant was used to build a 30′ x 36′ x 12′ cold storage facility for storing harvested apples. They had been using an inefficient modified 53-foot refrigerated trailer to store apples, which is not big enough, extremely costly to operate and results in significant losses. The building will have spray foam insulation, two 5-horsepower cooling units, and two humidifiers to main optimal temperature and humidity levels.
The new building will increase storage capacity, reduce energy costs, decrease loss from storage and will be a reliable cold storage facility for the future. Jon’s sales are primarily direct retail. He sells his apples at two farmers markets in South Carolina as well as through a self-serve farm stand. He also wholesales to a specialty grocery store and provides apples to two locals food share programs.
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