Steady structures

For the past 10 years, Lauren Palmer, owner and farmer at Bloomsbury Farms, has combined food and family by growing organic vegetables for restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets and a 300-member CSA community.

Located in Smyrna, Tennessee, Bloomsbury Farms is the product of Palmer's vegetarian roots, landscaper father and connection to nature. Originally starting off small with no intention of selling crops, her father reserved a booth at their local farmers market and changed everything.

“People were asking me how I did certain things and why I chose that vegetable,” Palmer says. “Some were even requesting vegetables that my grandparents used to grow. That relationship was exactly what I was looking for.”

With 400 acres of land, nine hoop houses and 15 acres of harvesting ground, Palmer grows more than 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables year-round. While heirloom and artisan vegetables are her favorite, strawberries, lettuce, squash, peppers and more are also cultivated and sold.

Once advised to make her greenhouses all the same, Palmer did the complete opposite. At different lengths, sizes and styles, the structures at Bloomsbury Farms differ with unique personalities and are strategically placed where the styles are best suited. This was easily done with Atlas’ line of various structures for different geographic locations and crops.

“Nine years down, no issues and I’ve never tried any other brand,” Palmer says. “I’ve had such great luck; there’s no need to change. They’re so friendly; they’re so nice to me and that’s what it’s all about. That’s how I’ve done business in food and anything else. I have to trust somebody and with Atlas it’s been a good relationship back and forth. I’m good to you if you’re good to me and Atlas has always been that.”