New Student-Run Business at The University of Findlay Will Offer Fresh, Local Produce

Fresh, local produce will soon be available through Findlay Greens at The University of Findlay. The new student-run business, which operates under the Oiler Enterprises umbrella, will grow a variety of produce – including tomatoes, eggplant, jalapeno peppers, lettuce, beans, bok choy, beets, snap peas, spinach and carrots – inside a hoop-house style greenhouse.
Findlay Greens worked with a consultant to construct a hoop house at 128 West Foulke Ave. The consultant, from Columbus, also is working with the students to teach them how to operate and manage a successful greenhouse.
Findlay Greens initially is offering a limited number of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares to faculty and staff members of the University. As produce becomes available, Findlay Greens also will sell its products on campus once a week. The group plans to advertise its offerings through social media.
A hoop house is a tunnel made of polyethylene. The design allows solar radiation to warm the inside of the greenhouse, making three-season planting and growing possible. During the winter, Findlay Greens plans to utilize the greenhouse as a cold storage area for produce grown in the fall.
In addition to the hoop house, Findlay Greens has cleared an area to the west of the greenhouse to plant a garden for summer produce.
Like all Oiler Enterprises businesses, Findlay Greens will be entirely operated and managed by students. Findlay Greens will employ both a business manager and a farm manager. Michael Reed, Ph.D., professor of TESOL and bilingual education, is overseeing the project as it begins.
Findlay Greens received start-up funding from the Oiler Enterprises foundation and the Findlay Green Campus Initiative.
For more information, contact Reed at 419-434-4679 or reed@findlay.edu.