The Market Garden Story
So, what’s the plan for today?” asks an eager student, ready to get started in Market Gardens. The process is very simple, yet involved. Everyone must do their part well for the whole operation to work and it is a team effort that produces great results. Several months before we get into the carrot barn, seeds are planted into a well-cultivated and fertile soil. Accomplished by a tractor-drawn seeder, this job looks like fun but requires careful attention to seed distribution. After months of tender loving care, constant weeding, and a lot of water, our seeds have now become fully grown plants, ready for harvest.
A tractor-drawn harvester, accompanied by another tractor pulling a trailer with storage bins collects the carrots. Once the harvesting is completed, large storage bins are used to keep the carrots until time for processing, where they are kept in large coolers at just above freezing.
First, we bring the storage bins out of the coolers, dump the carrots into the washer and get to work. The first part of the processing equipment is a barrel washer, followed by a long conveyor belt. Next, the workers scan the belt for the coveted number one carrots, the ideal specimen for packaging, also known as table carrots. Then, the belt is scanned for number two’s‚ or juice carrots. Last of all, we’re left with number three’s‚ or juice piece
At the end of the day, we’ll all walk away tired, yet satisfied with our productivity, knowing that our small part made a big difference.