Nicole Coston, Bearwallow Valley Farms
Wholesale and Process Improvement Plan
Grant Award: $8,000
After four years of production, Nicole has identified needs for new multi-use equipment that will improve efficiency and production, as well as harvest and post-harvest handling processes.
With her grant award, she will purchase a six-row push seeder to improve soil contact and seed germination, an undercutter/bed lifter for harvesting root vegetables, and forks for her tractor to hold bins on a pallet for harvesting heavy produce such as melons and winter squash.
She will also custom build a semi-mobile wash and pack station. The equipment will decrease product handling and improve food safety and quality. Nicole estimates that Bearwallow Valley Farms will see as much as 40% reduction in labor by 2024.
Contact the Local Extension Agent