[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 20400-20401]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BACKYARD FARMS

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I wish to celebrate an exceptional 
small business from my home State of Maine that is enabling New England 
consumers to enjoy fresh, locally grown, and healthy tomatoes on a 
year-round basis. Located in Madison, Backyard Farms is a large-scale 
tomato producer that has invested over $20 million into what is now 
Maine's largest building and one of the world's most technologically 
advanced facilities.
  Backyard Farms, which operates the largest greenhouse in New England, 
employs 115 hard-working individuals who collectively yield an 
astonishing 1 million tomatoes per week--which adds up to 7,700 tons of 
tomatoes annually. With New Englanders consuming an average of 300 
million fresh tomatoes per year, Backyard Farms has the potential to 
capture an extensive share of this market. Backyard Farms' tomatoes are 
certainly fresh, as it sells its product to stores less than 8 hours 
away. That means that tomatoes picked one day are on store shelves all 
across Maine and New England the next.
  In addition to its magnificent tomatoes, Backyard Farms is striving 
to make its facility a green--or energy efficient--building by using 
the most environmentally friendly technology

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available. The 25-acre greenhouse uses efficient technologies including 
rainwater reclamation, high-efficiency boilers, and thermal blankets to 
produce juicy tomatoes. Furthermore, Backyard Farms utilizes natural 
methods to grow its wonderful produce. Bees take care of the 
pollination, and tomatoes are kept healthy by implementing biological 
controls, such as parasitic wraps and ladybugs, rather than pesticides 
and fungicides. The work of those at Backyard Farms proves that 
conservation does not necessarily have to hinder effectiveness and 
efficiency.
  Backyard Farms prides itself on the quality of its product. On each 
box of tomatoes shipped to local stores, it is written, ``wicked good 
tomatoes from right nearby.'' This motto emphasizes Backyard Farms' 
local nature and its commitment to the community through its highly 
sustainable business practices. Backyard Farms plans to build 3 to 4 
additional greenhouses on at least 17 more acres. This would allow 
Backyard Farms to increase its produce output to include cucumbers, 
peppers, eggplant, and culinary herbs. Such an expansion would have an 
immensely positive impact on the Maine economy by adding as many as 200 
new employees. I look forward to the groundbreaking for this expansion, 
scheduled to occur later this month.
  It is particularly inspirational that Backyard Farms has proven that 
a region known for its cooler temperatures and short growing season can 
in fact expand its agricultural production by combining advanced 
technologies with an innovative entrepreneurial spirit. Backyard Farms 
provides us with a paragon of smart economic development. I commend 
chief executive officer Peter Sellew, cofounder Arie van der Giessen, 
and all of the employees of Backyard Farm and wish them continued 
success and prosperity in the future.

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