Robin Hones - Tips for Starting an Indoor Commercial Farm - Get Up & Grow Podcast EP #5

Welcome to the Get Up & Grow Podcast, Episode #5. Today, we're joined by Robin Hones, owner of Cascadia Greens, a hydroponic indoor farm in Seattle, WA. In this episode, Robin shares his journey into gardening, his experience with hydroponic growing and how he setup his business to sell at local farmers markets in the Pacific Northwest.

Robin tells us about the various options of growing produce in greenhouses vs. the indoors and the challenges of commercial farming in the winter in the Seattle area. He also explains the difference between gardening and farming and his process of setting up a growing container system.

We dive deeper into hydroponic growing methods, including the Kratky method and other effective techniques for growing leafy greens. Robin also shares his process of growing microgreens and how he keeps his growing methods as effective as possible in order to scale up operations.

We learn about Robin's experience selling produce at the Capitol Hill Farmers Market, his customers' favorite products and what this type of customer usually looks for. We also touch on other ways to bring indoor farmed produce to market like through restaurants or distributorships and how you can do it too.

Finally, as a worldly person, Robin shares his future hopes to bringing efficient farming systems to Africa.

Thank you for joining us on the Get Up & Grow Podcast, Episode #5 with Robin Hones of Cascadia Greens. Tune in every two weeks to learn more from our engaging group of growers kind enough to share their knowledge with us!

We discuss some of the following:
• His journey into gardening and his experience with hydroponic growing.
• The challenges of commercial farming in the winter in the Seattle area.
• Growing in greenhouses vs. indoors.
• The difference between gardening and farming.
• The Kratky hydroponic growing method.
• His technique for growing microgreens at scale.
• The options for getting your produce to market.
• His experience selling at the Capitol Hill Farmers Market.
• What customers like to see at farmers markets.
• Other tips for success in commercial farming as a small business.

If you are interested in contacting Robin with questions about anything we discuss in the podcast please reach out to him directly at robin@cascadiagreens.us

This Podcast is dedicated to growers like you so we appreciate your feedback so we can provide the best experience possible for the grower community.

Now Get Up & Grow!

Taylor S.