The smell of salt slowly wafted through the open window of my rental car as I cruised up the Pacific Coast Highway toward Camarillo, Calif. I had escaped the rush-hour traffic of the 405 just outside of Los Angeles by taking a detour to catch the PCH up to my destination instead.
Nothing but Malibu’s 27 miles of beaches, according to the signs, stood between me and Camarillo now.
It was August in California, and I was out west to attend Houweling’s Tomatoes’ celebration of its first GE Jenbacher combined heat, power, water and CO2 plant, the most efficient carbon-powered hydrogenation station in the United States. Houweling’s gets heat, CO2 and water, and then they’re able to sell the electricity. It’s so efficient that 90 to 95 percent of what is produced is used.
While I was there, I also got a tour of “Mastery under glass,” or the Houweling’s tomato production process, which is quite impressive up close. Here’s a look at their operations in a photo essay.
Sponsored Content
A Better Start for Plants
From loose plugs to prefilled trays and textiles, our TruRoot® propagation line, featuring QuickPlug Technology, is the optimum way to accelerate germination and improve root development. Trusted across the horticulture industry, TruRoot is the key to better propagation from food crops to florals.
Get curated news on YOUR industry.
Enter your email to receive our newsletters.
Explore the October 2012 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
Latest from Produce Grower
- PG CEA HERB Part 2: Analyzing basil nutrient disorders
- University of Evansville launches 'We Grow Aces!' to tackle food insecurity with anu, eko Solutions
- LettUs Grow, KG Systems partner on Advanced Aeroponics technology
- Find out what's in FMI's Power of Produce 2025 report
- The Growth Industry Episode 3: Across the Pond with Neville Stein
- The Growth Industry Episode 2: Emily Showalter on how Willoway Nurseries transformed its business
- 80 Acres Farms expands to Georgia, Texas and Colorado
- How BrightFarms quadrupled capacity in six months