Former Poultry Farmer in Alabama Successfully Switches to Growing Leafy Greens Hydroponically in Retrofitted Chicken Barn

ECHO, Ala.—Former poultry farmer Bill Ferguson once started his day by picking up dead birds and removing them from his vast poultry barns. But now, as reported by the Dothan Eagle, a hydroponic growing system occupies one barn and Mr. Ferguson is growing health-promoting leafy greens for his local community.

The fresh Romaine and butter lettuce grown at Mr. Ferguson’s Riley Creek Farms is sold in local grocery stores and farmers markets--replacing lettuce trucked in from other states. Each hydroponically grown plant comes with about 10 inches of root wrapped around the base which helps it stay fresh in the refrigerator for about three weeks. Dutch buckets will be installed to hydroponically grow tomatoes and cucumbers. In fall, a new pick-your-own pumpkin patch will welcome local families.

“My farm is open to anyone who would like to visit and see for themselves the hydroponic growing system that is producing fresh and flavorful food for our local community here in southeast Alabama,” says farmer Bill Ferguson. “It took two years to clean out and convert the former chicken barn, and I’m pleased to be finally harvesting food that will promote health and well-being in my community.” Mr. Ferguson welcomes other farmers to his new indoor veggie farm and is willing to advise them if they are interested in a similar farm transition.

If it survives funding cuts, Mr. Ferguson would like to participate in Alabama’s Farm-to-School program. The hydroponically grown tomatoes, cucumbers, and romaine and butter lettuce could arrive in school kitchens on the same day they are harvested, as opposed to travelling across several states.

A refrigerated trailer to deliver fresh lettuce and veggies to local buyers will be made possible by a Convert to Crops farm transition grant to Mr. Ferguson from the Physicians Committee, a nonprofit health advocacy group with 17,000 doctor members nationwide including 105 physicians in Alabama.

The grant will also support other agricultural activities at Riley Creek Farms including a Dutch bucket hydroponic growing system and additional peach trees to eventually create a five-acre orchard. Mr. Ferguson recently offered 10 baskets of peaches at a local farmer’s market and they sold out within 20 minutes.

Following a dispute with Tyson over a costly and unnecessary upgrade, Mr. Ferguson lost his contract to grow chickens, and was facing extreme financial hardship. Fortunately, he connected with the farm transitions project of a national nonprofit, Animal Outlook, and he began the long and difficult journey from contract chicken grower to independent veggie farmer.

As part of a growing trend, many farmers have accomplished the challenging transition from animal agriculture to growing chickpeas, hazelnuts, mushrooms, or other crops. Former contract poultry farmer Craig Watts now works with the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, and he advises other contract chicken growers who wish to exit the business.

“Peaches, leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, black-eyed peas, and other crops grown by Alabama farmers are an important part of a plant-based diet that can help people lower blood pressure, prevent diabetes, and maintain a healthy weight among other benefits,” says Anna Herby, DHSc, RD, CDE, Nutrition Education Specialist for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

“Lettuce provides vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for bone health so will be beneficial for children as their bones are developing. Vitamins A and C are antioxidants which help with healing and repair, and vitamin A is especially helpful for eyes. Folate is important for DNA and red blood cell creation, which is essential for both children and adults,” continues Dr. Herby. Fueled by plant protein, Dr. Herby is a long-distance hiker who has completed the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.

A recent study with 22 pairs of identical twins found that a plant-based diet improves heart health in as little as eight weeks. The twins following a plant-based diet experienced lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and they lost more weight than the omnivore twins. A study published in Neurology finds that eating lettuce and other leafy greens can boost brain health in older people. Greens contain lutein, folate, beta carotene and other nutrients known to affect aging, according to the New York Times.

As reported by the Omaha World Herald, Nebraska Public Media, KOLN-TV, and other news outlets, the Physicians Committee has also given a farm transition grant to a fourth generation Nebraska farmer who is rewilding her family’s former cattle ranch. Since the farm borders the Middle Loup River, and flooding is a concern, she will stabilize the riverbanks with native plants including buffalo berries, raspberries, and elderberries. The riparian berry thickets will provide food and cover to birds, butterflies and other wildlife.