Applied Agriculture Department Moves Online for Fresh Produce and Annual Plant Sale
Delaware Technical Community College's applied agriculture department has made many changes to keep everyone safe during the pandemic while still providing fresh produce year-round at the Campus Farm Market, as well as the always-popular annual plant sale.
While limiting the number of people physically on campus, applied agriculture students are still coming to campus for the hands-on learning experience of growing fresh vegetables and plants. Students are on campus five days a week to help harvest, prep, and pack the produce for customers as part of their cooperative work experience. Students in a vegetable crop production course help Justin Grimminger, farm manager, with planting and prepping the produce for sale. Instructor Christel Folke has students in a hydroponics class who also contribute to growing produce.
Dr. Daniele Kidd, applied agriculture department chair, is grateful for the hard work and dedication of her team. "Adapting in the age of COVID-19 has been a challenge, but our team never missed a beat. Justin, Christel, and I are so thankful for our students and our dedicated customers," she said. "Without them, we couldn't keep this market running." She added, "We appreciate the support from the deans, the campus director, and the business office staff for the transition to this online format."
Rather than dropping by to pick out what they want, customers order and pay ahead of time online at go.dtcc.edu/owenscampusfarmmarket. Here, potential customers can see what produce is available each week and place an order for pickup. At pickup time, customers must wear a mask and remain in their cars. Grimminger brings out each order and places it in the backseat or trunk of the vehicle to limit contact.
"Online ordering has worked out really well. Because people order what they want in advance, we know what to harvest," Grimminger said. "We don't just pick what we think might sell, so there's less waste; we can harvest exactly what we need."
As far as hydroponically grown produce, Grimminger spoke of some of the vegetables that are available to purchase: "We have our lettuce, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and European cucumbers." He continued, "In the high tunnels there are a lot of leafy greens right now, as well as a lot of root vegetables like carrots, turnips, and beets."
Kidd added, "We will keep this process [online ordering] going until we transition back. The whole world has changed because of COVID-19. Now we know we can do these things. Even after things open back up, we might leave the ordering information online because of the convenience. With just a couple of clicks, you can see what's available."
As for the annual plant sale, it will follow the online ordering format with curbside pickup for the second year in a row. Just like the produce, plant quantities will be cut back to reduce waste. Many annuals will be available, such as begonias, geraniums, salvia, impatiens, and petunias, as well as various perennials like cone flowers, butterfly weed, milk weed, hibiscus, and lobelia. Hanging baskets will also be available.
Kidd thanked the students and customers who have continued to support the applied agriculture program and the farm market: "We will have more than 20 graduates this May. We are proud of the students who have persisted, working and continuing to go to school. We recognize it is difficult. And we appreciate all the people who buy from us, who support our program."
The Campus Farm Market is open year-round, and the plant sale will begin in April. For more information, email owens-campusfarmmarket@dtcc.edu or visit go.dtcc.edu/owenscampusfarmmarket or the applied agriculture department's Facebook page.
PHOTOS:
Top: Landscape and Ornamental Horticulture student Evan Strazzella and Farm Manager Justin Grimminger in high-tunnel greenhouse
Bottom: A Red Salvia plant from a Delaware Tech greenhouse
