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Camden & Lorraine Bennett

It took several months for Camden and Lorraine Bennett and their five kids to construct their 34x48’ Rimol greenhouse in the Favazzo subdivision near Pinedale, but the wait was worth it. The indoor garden, Summerswift Farm, is dominated by monster sunflowers, but also brimming with shell and snow peas, pole and bush beans, all kinds of salad greens, kale, mustard greens, several different kinds of squash, okra, beets, turnips, and, of course, several varieties of tomatoes. Their big experiment in the second year of growing plants indoors is a large patch of quiona, all seeded out and ready for harvest. The Bennetts start all their seeds themselves, importing nothing from anyone else into their greenhouse, hoping to keep invading insect pests to a minimum. Their inground beds consist of native soil, potting mixture, and aged poultry manure, and are irrigated with an automated slow drip system. They use no additional fertilizers and their plants are obviously thriving. They cool this humongous greenhouse with automated fans and vents and uses 40% shade cloth indoors to filter some of the intense sun. Camden researched and is experimenting with electroculture, a way to introduce electrical charges to enhance growth. He wrapped copper wire around willow branches, and inserted them around some of the plants, and insect pests have become scarce. This labor of love his providing plenty of fresh food for their large family and a source of pride for all of them. It is also a source of income as they are selling some of their produce to Mountain Fresh Produce in Pinedale.