Building a Greenhouse in a Hospital : From Vision to Reality
A project of Hospitality Ventures Consulting LLC while serving as a Wellness Consultant and Interim Director of Wellness and Retail Services for Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
Building and Opening a State of the Art Greenhouse
1392 sq. feet (29 x 48)
3 different hydroponic growing systems
Year round production
Diverse crop selection, ensuring quality of flavor and nutritional value
Allows for educational and therapeutic experience
Goal : Becoming the best by benchmarking the best in the industry
Greenhouse layout was designed by Dr. Howard Resh PhD-Internationally known as a pioneering hydroponic researcher, author and practitioner; A personal friend of Jeffrey Jacobs
Consulting resources provided by Dr. Fred Petitt PhD-Agriculture & Water Sciences Director for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts; A personal friend of Jeffrey Jacobs
Greenhouse operations run by Michelle Lutz,-Resident Farmer, with more than 15 years experience as owner and operator of one of Michigan’s largest certified organic vegetable farms. Hired personally by Jeffrey Jacobs.
A Three Part Hydroponic Growing System
Hydroponic Growing System #1 Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Lettuce & Specialty Greens
12 foot x 20 foot area
648 growing channels
648 nursery channels
Uses 30% of greenhouse growing space
Every 4-6 weeks this system will produce the equivalent of 27 cases of greens.
Hydroponic Growing Technique #2 Dutch Buckets
Three 26 foot rows
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, peas, beans, okra, squash, cucumbers and tomatillo
Uses 37% of greenhouse growing space
Expected production of 1000 pounds or more of fresh, organic produce per calendar year.
Hydroponic Growing Technique #3 Plant Towers
320 plants
Uses 10% of greenhouse growing area
Strawberries, culinary herbs and specialty greens
Culinary herbs include: specialty basils, cilantro, thyme, sage, parsley, oregano and mint
Specialty greens include: chinese cabbage, pacchoi, swiss chard, kale, asian greens and collards
Multiple plantings per year yielding hundreds of pounds of fresh, organic greens & herbs.
Crop Selection : Growing Food That Heals
Created the finest & most healthy food culture for a hospital
Growing & serving food that fights obesity & chronic diseases
Many heirloom varieties that have exceptional flavor& higher nutritional value
Diverse to add interest, but also meeting culinary needs
Enhance culinary quality & inspire creativity in the kitchen
Growing Practices
Leading the way in organic hydroponic growing
Using organic and untreated seeds
Only organic, sustainable growing practices and inputs will be used
Educating our communities how to grow food without the use of toxic chemicals
Why Is Organic Important?
No chemical toxins ~ No pesticide, herbicide, fungicide residue on your food.
Your cells are the foundation of your health Chemical toxins cause them to malfunction and sometimes damage or kill them
By eating organically grown food you can reduce your exposure to contaminants commonly found in foods
Why Is Fresh A Factor?
Fresh food has more antioxidants
Antioxidants act as free radical scavengers and hence prevent and repair damage done by free radicals
Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection
Results attained
Growing Above & Beyond “The Boundaries of Imagination”
The greenhouse created an epicenter of health and wellness education in the community by creating a better quality of life for its residents.
A greenhouse can serve as a national model for how wellness education can reduce health care costs and improve health care outcomes by providing resources to help people of all ages and walks of life achieve optimal health and quality of life.
Limitless Educational Opportunities
By educating the community on the importance of being environmentally responsible and eating healthy, both the people and the environment of the community will benefit in countless ways.
Community members come and learn about the importance of growing and eating organic, healthy, nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Fighting Childhood Obesity through Children’s Educational Programs
Childhood nutrition is under assault by the fast food and junk food industry.
Educating through agriculture offers an opportunity to fight back through exercise, life skills and making better food choices.
Students are more likely to try eating fruits and vegetables they have a connection with.
Food preferences are taken back home and improve family consumption as well
How Can Greenhouses Help?
The greenhouse can be a valuable resource for schools. Tours and workshops teach children how to grow food in and out of the classroom.
Educational programs can teach cooking skills, meal planning and healthier snack choices using fresh, in season fruits and vegetables.
Majority of the crops selected to be grown were done with children in mind. This plan was implemented with the goal of "putting fun back into food."
Adult Educational Programs
Integrating a greenhouse as a learning environment offers boundless opportunities for education on health and wellness.
Workshops and tours include sustainable growing tips and techniques as well as discussions on important food related issues.
Classes on seed selection, garden layout, seasonal and succession planting for an abundant successful garden.
Volunteers & Interns : "Farmers- in-Training"
With less than 1% of the US population claiming farming as their occupation the valuable skill of growing food is being lost.
There is an immense opportunity to help our community members learn how to grow food responsibly and add sustainability into their life style.
Therapy for Patients
Gardening therapy allows patients to take an active role in their recovery process.
Patients gain valuable experience and information on how to prevent chronic diseases through healthy growing, cooking and eating practices.
Progressive Plant Therapy
Relaxation for the mind and body through yoga and greenhouse programs
Using food as preventative and corrective medicine
Physical therapy
Behavioral therapy
Occupational therapy
Financials
Self sustaining business plan
Opportunity to generate revenue through tours and workshops
