NASHUA, NH – Oasis Springs Farm in Nashua is about to harvest its last crop. Next week they will pick, package and deliver the last greens and lettuces they grow hydroponically.
Husband and wife Sarah and Chris Ward began the farm in 2016 with an interest in local food and discovered few options. She had a marketing /PR background and he had an engineering/technology background. Initially, they experimented with hydroponics for their consumption but soon realized there was commercial potential in this farming method.
The farm consists of three freight container-sized hydroponic growing systems. In that compressed space they grow the same volume of food that would require about 4 acres of land using conventional farming methods. Hydroponic farming under artificial light also allows for year-round production.
Their mission was to operate a family-run local farm producing fresh, healthy produce year-round to the community using environmentally friendly methods technology. By any measure, they succeeded in that mission.
After eight years of operation though, they sat down and looked at the finances the labor involved, and the fact they had not had a vacation since they started and decided to end the operation. They have been successful in producing high-quality produce for the local market but the economics and market conditions are challenging.
To pay themselves fairly for the work they estimated that they would have to raise prices by a minimum of 25% which is a bridge too far. For the couple it was time to change. Next week the lights shut off and the units are up for sale.
They always had demand from customers but getting higher prices for local food runs into resistance. Sarah Ward said, “Like any farm getting people to pay top-dollar for locally produced food is tough, we were always up against that challenge.”
Factoring in the cost of growing, handling, packaging, and distribution they end up with a higher price point than food from large-scale producers. She noted that even the large producers in New Hampshire are financially challenged. “Even they are struggling; I think the whole food system has its challenges.”
The cost of electricity represents the most expense for the operation and the food they produce
“Our biggest expense is electricity because of the lights we use to grow. New Hampshire has the fourth-highest electricity rates in the country so we constantly struggle with that. You can’t really move the number on that,” Sarah Ward said.
Some local restaurants that embrace locally-sourced produce have been steady customers. Ward feels upset because they do not have any other local source for the same quality
“What is hurting is my restaurants because they were the ones that really valued our quality I am sad I don’t have anywhere I can point them to. That is why I would love somebody local to take this on.”
“Farming takes a lot of time. Even with this setup where we have monitors and automation, we have a limited amount of time we can be away from the farm because of the constant harvest and processing,” she said.
A hydroponic operation is a tough commercial enterprise, especially in high-energy cost areas. Many non-profits and educational organizations are using them successfully across the country without the burden of generating profit.
The good news is that they have a couple of potential buyers for the three hydroponic units.
“I would love to keep it local because we have local restaurants and customers who need the produce,” she said.
The decision to close the Oasis Springs Farm is bittersweet for Sarah and her family.
“I love it, I really do; I wish we could continue with it,” Sarah Ward said, “But when we looked at the numbers and how much time we were putting into it, it just didn’t make sense.”