Winston-Salem considers new future for controversial hydroponic greenhouse project
Source: HD.com
Winston-Salem considers new future for controversial hydroponic greenhouse project Thanks! City staff have selected Anders Family Farm of Tobaccoville to lease and operate the multimillion-dollar facility, which has sat vacant since June 2025.
Until then, the city paid local food access nonprofit H.O.P.E. Sustainability Director Shaleen Miller said officials decided to go in a new direction after that agreement expired.
Under the new agreement, Anders would pay $2,500 per month to use the greenhouse, though that fee could be discounted if it offers certain community services. produce ads India: Stakeholders meet to promote horticulture entrepreneurship FAO launches AGRI-FIT innovation project to promote inclusive agriculture in Jordan Dutch horticulture sector navigates consolidation amid geopolitical uncertainty Mexico signs tomato supply and pricing agreement “This cucumber season proves how fickle the market is” Related Articles Asparagus, cucumber, and tomato prices decline on higher volumes Winston-Salem considers new future for controversial hydroponic greenhouse project Canadian trade groups welcome national food security strategy British Berry Growers call for outdoor junk food ad restrictions Fruit accounts for 57% of U.S.
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
