Even in a cold Vermont winter, Pete Johnson manages to harvest lettuce in his portable greenhouses.

Johnson, one of the most reputable organic farmers in New England decided last year that he wanted to help people have access to fresh, locally grown, organic produce all year long. In October he used his tractor to move an 18,000-pound greenhouse over his crops.

The greenhouses were 200 feet long. That is equivalent to the length of two basketball courts, they were also 2/3 wide. Johnson knew it was a risky gamble, but was willing to try.

“It could blow over – or not move at all,” he told the Christian Science Monitor. “But I’ve engineered it, and I think it will work.”

With the manpower of two, the greenhouses were coaxed down the field for over an hour by tractor.

Throughout the winter numbers dropped to single digits, yet Johnson was able to deliver community-supported agriculture customers with fresh vegetables from the unheated greenhouse. Although the plants did not grow during January’s deep freeze, Johnson will start a second harvest in the next couple weeks.

“And that’s pretty cool to get fresh greens from unheated greenhouses all but one month of the winter,” he says.

An innovated project like this is just one way farming is fun. Johnson not only thought outside of the box, but his solution benefited an entire community. If you’re interested in starting your own farm of any kind please contact a Farm Plus representative to assist you with any questions you may have about farm loans. Contact Farm Plus via phone, 1-866-929-5585 or online.