We are very proud to receive the 2010 Silicon Valley Water Conservation Award in the agricultural category. The awards, in their second year, recognize groups whose programs and leadership have advanced water conservation in Silicon Valley including San Mateo County, Santa Clara County and parts of Alameda County. The awards categories included business, organization, education, government and greenscape management and was presented on Monday March 22nd 2010, World Water Day.

Working in partnership with our local utility which provided a merit grant, we are currently installing vinyl curtains on all refrigerator doors. This installation will provide multiple benefits by reducing energy use by an estimated 17% and result in a more uniform growing environment for the storage of plants.

Working in partnership with our local utility which provided a merit grant, we have just completed a complete retrofit of all refrigerator fan motors. This retrofit will result in a 50% annual reduction in electric usage. This reduction is equivalent to the amount of power used by over 40 houses for an entire year!

A dedicated on-site research facility was opened to evaluate growing practices, identify energy savings and reduce the environmental impacts of production.

In partnership with the USDA and the State Water Board who provided merit grants, we completed the installation of a new rain catchment system for an existing 75,000 square foot greenhouse. Despite the severe drought more than 1.2 million gallons of rain water was collected and used in production. This project has the added benefit of reducing storm water runoff thereby reducing soil erosion.