Maine
Leads the Renaissance in Agriculture — Becoming the Breadbasket of New England
by Ramona du Houx
Nestled amongst the tomato
vines towering fifteen feet tall at Backyard Farms, one would never know it was Maine in
the middle of winter. As the sun streamed through the windows, it felt and looked more
like a summer’s day. It was 16 degrees outside; 75 degrees inside the high-tech
greenhouse in Madison.
The smell of the tomatoes
wafted in the air and inspired Governor Baldacci to taste one of the first harvested
tomatoes. “These are beautiful,” said the governor, “and they taste
sweet!”
According to Paul Sellew,
president & CEO of Backyard Farms, that taste of summer in the middle of winter is
something consumers long for, and it is something he and his team have been working
straight out on since last summer to achieve.
Though Sellew is excited that
the first harvest has been sent to market, he believes that he’s only just started
his venture. “We want to make Madison, Maine, the produce capital of New
England,” said Sellew.
Backyard Farms intends to add
three or four more greenhouses, growing hydroponic cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, and
herbs, which would increase the workforce from 65 to 250.
The tomatoes are continually
ripening on a rotational basis. The greenhouse is projected to yield one million tomatoes
a week — 7.7 tons a year.
Arie Vandergiessen and other
members of Backyard Farms talk with Governor Baldacci as he toured the facility
Sellew partnered with Arie
Vandergiessen, a leading greenhouse grower, and Wayne Davis, a former executive with
Fidelity Investments, to develop the project. Sellew said they came to Maine because of
the workforce, the Pine Tree Zone tax incentive program, and Madison Electric Works’
low prices. A $400,000 Community Development Block Grant was awarded to the town of
Madison for public infrastructure support in preparation for Backyard Farms’s
opening.
“We’re proud to bring
a product to market which really is the best tasting tomato — anywhere in the
world,” said Hannaford CEO Ron Hodge.
The greenhouse, which covers an
area over the size of 20 football fields, currently uses state-of-the-art technology to
emulate the sun and environmentally friendly processes that use biological controls. There
are no chemical pesticides and there are bees buzzing around the facility, pollinating.
“They’re Maine bees, they’re friendly,” said Madison Town Manager
Norman Dean.
“We’re committed to
sustainable business practices,” said Sellew. Eventually, the entire site will use
biotech to run the facility, with a biomass broiler planned, and the continual use of
solar power. “This represents the beginning of a renaissance in New England
agriculture. Right here in Madison.”
Governor Baldacci pickes the
first harvested tomatoe cluster
The governor said it was
impossible to get these kinds of tomatoes in the winter when he managed his family-owned
restaurant, Baldacci’s.
“These are delicious.
It’s a high-quality Maine product. The potential here is tremendous. Not only can
this project help other areas of agriculture, it can help in transportation,” said
the governor.
“With transportation, it
could be like a train that can add on more box cars, so more goods can get to
market.”
The governor intends to hold
meetings to discuss the potential areas of growth.
For more history click on Backyard Beauties
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