The Magic of ‘Nutrient Film’ Farming

Bill and Amanda Banta (above) own and operate Rowlands Pennsylvania Produce in Exeter Township and hope to encourage other couples and families to take up niche farming to keep produce as local as possible. 

Photos and story by Rick Hiduk

(Also published in Living Susquehanna/Wyoming County magazine)

Bill and Amanda Banta of Exeter Township, Wyoming County, have found a sure way of producing lettuce and other salad greens without getting their hands dirty. Employing a type of hydroponic growing called Nutrient Film Technique, the Bantas grow their vegetables inside a climate-controlled greenhouse all year long. A very shallow stream of fertilized water flows across the plant roots in water-tight gullies. In a very short time, seedlings become full-grown plants ready for sale and consumption.

The produce from Rowlands Pennsylvania Produce is available at Hillside Farms in Trucksville, as well as about 20 restaurants in the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys.

Their decision to invest in hyroponics, also called aquaponics, was not just a leap of faith for the Bantas but a big career change for both of them. Bill worked with the Department of Corrections in Harrisburg, and Amanda was an OBGYN nurse with Physician Health Alliance. Nonetheless, growing lettuce, kale, arugula, watercress and Asian mustard greens literally brought them back to their roots. Amanda grew up on the adjacent family farm with her parents, Mike and Barb Rowlands, who started and continue to operate Rowlands Family Greenhouses & Landscaping next door. Bill gestures over the hill on the other side of SR 292 from their property and notes that he grew up on a dairy farm there in Orange, near Dallas.

Before getting started, the Bantas looked into several hydroponic methods, including the better-known “raft” or “floating” systems that require much more water and maintenance. “If I ever want to change it out, it’s just a matter pulling trays,” Bill explained, as he was busy inserting lettuce seeds into a set of trays. Amanda, harvesting full grown lettuce heads a few yards away, indicated that bibb lettuce and mixed greens are their biggest sellers.

Hydroponics is a growing form of controlled environment agriculture. The system in the Banta’s greenhouse maintains proper temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels. If the temperature eclipses 68 degrees, even in the winter, fans come on to draw the excess heat out of the structures. The same happens if the system senses that the air needs to be freshened. As the sun moves ever higher in the summer sky, a shade cloth is drawn over the greenhouse. If it gets too hot, a cooling system that involves air being drawn through an artificial waterfall kicks in.

The Bantas feel that they are part of a new movement in family-oriented niche farms. “There are more and more people getting started on a smaller scale,” Bill suggests. “That’s good for our area.”

They have partnered with other local growers like Gerald and Tina Carlin in Susquehanna County to establish the farmers market at Creekside Gardens in Tunkhannock, which opens on June 16. (See related stories at www.EndlessMtnLifestyles.com)

Additionally, the Bantas have embarked on a new venture, planning to open an eatery in Scranton called the Wandering Hen Cafe. “It will be an authentic farm-to-table restaurant,” Bill says of the new business, which will feature only local produce.

Our goal is to support as many local farms as we can,” Amanda adds, noting that there will also be produce available for purchase on site.

The Bantas are busy at the greenhouse on most week days, and will sell directly to customers during summer months between 8 am and 3 pm Monday through Friday. During other seasons, customers can make an appointment to stop in by calling 570-905-6783. For updates on their market involvement and progress on the new restaurant, interested readers may follow Rowlands Pennsylvania Produce on Facebook.

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