Barry Adler

photos provided by BARRY ADLER
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When URE member Barry Adler set out to create a self-sustaining farm, complete with its own energy production, he knew it would require a strong plan to justify his expense -- especially to justify support from financing and grants.

At RainFresh Harvests, Adler tied his farm proposal together in a business plan that makes the investment worthwhile. Not only is the farm unique in its use of green energy and ecologically sound practices, RainFresh is designed to cater to the boutique local produce market, another ecologically-minded approach. He has successfully marketed his herbs and leafy vegetables to retailer Whole Foods and the Bon Appetit restaurant among others.

Getting started

With his personal experience in horticulture in his back pocket and the kernel of a business plan, Adler sought energy experts. This is an important first step for anyone interested in employing green power, which is still a relatively new field.

As Adler advised in Ohio's Country Journal, "I think you have to get at least three 'expert' opinions on things like this and then pick the expert you believe the most."

The expert advice was to start with the electrical load. Adler's greenhouse is engineered first and foremost to use very little energy. In a home or business, the insulation of the building envelope is the most critical component. Adler used soybean foam insulation panels (which is also ecological) with heavy-duty wrap to thermally control walls, floor and roof. The concrete slab in the floor stores passive solar energy. An active solar heating system pumps warm water through tubing in the floor.

He minimized the cooling load with solar chimney cupolas, thermal-mechanical ventilation and retractable shades.

Harnessing the weather

Only after the building envelope was engineered could Adler and his experts identify his energy needs and model generation to serve it.
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"The renewable technologies are relatively new and like any technologies they don't work all the time," says Adler.

When the ventilation and insulation did not balance, he had to install thermally controlled vents. When lightning struck the wind turbine, it was out of commission until the repair team could visit.

Adler continues to be optimistic. He says, "Technology has to be used in order to be improved. If some of us aren't willing to take the first steps to try things out, then they'll never be improved."

Now, more than two years into the project, Adler is starting to feel it coming together.

photos provided by BARRY ADLER
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Adler
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Blending technology with organic growing practices, Adler is venturing into new territory. Fortunately, he has the leg up on most people who would consider a venture like this. With a masters degree in horticulture and 22 years in research and horticultural business management, he came into the project with a lot of figurative mud on his boots.

An interest in renewable energy led him to a part-time job with Green Energy Ohio (GEO) while he sought ideas for a horticultural project at home. GEO's connections proved invaluable as the concept of his self-sustaining farm was born.
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model, Adler is conservatively confident, but adds, "I'm still not
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don't want to have to add more solar collectors," says Adler. In the mean time, he has had to resort to supplemental kerosene heating.

"Ultimately to have this thing work, because it is such a complex thing to do, you have to have it automated," Adler explains. "I'm attempting to automate as much as possible."

Two years into production, he is seeing positive results. Now his carefully controlled experiment is garnering more attention that he can keep up with, for good reason.

NEXT MONTH>>>

An inside look at how Adler has turned renewable energy into a business success at RainFresh Harvests.