Lucas Hengler
Jessie Hall
Elena Panebianco
Fairleigh Dickinson University Silberman College of Business
Gerard Farias
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Happy Harvest Hydroponic Farms was developed in 2014 by John Evangelista, Guy Botticelli and Cris Tuhy. They currently produce hydroponic crops in Denville, New Jersey. They all have had prior experience with planting/growing and gardening. Guy came up with the idea to grow food year round with a natural and sustainable production and pitched his idea to John and Cris.
Happy Harvest Hydroponics currently produces crops on a year round basis using a greenhouse outfitted with a hydroponic irrigation system equipped with a large reservoir and pumps. The reservoir is kept at a consistent pH with minerals added. They currently use city tap water (why they need to regulate the pH) and are looking into ways to becoming more sustainable and efficient with solar power. Due to the financial burden of purchasing solar power, Happy Harvest is still on a local power grid. However, if a more fiscally appropriate source of solar power comes available, they will look to utilize it. By using the innovation of hydroponics, Happy Harvest is able to produce crops year round at a much higher rate of growth (approximately 10% faster) than traditional farming. Because of this, they are also able to provide their community with a healthy food alternative.
The innovation of starting a hydroponic farm came about when Guy came up with and pitched the idea of growing healthy, natural and sustainable food year round to John and Cris.
While Happy Harvest utilizes non-renewable energy, they make up for it by using less water (approximately 2/3 less water than traditional farming with approximately 10% more yield) and providing their community with fresh, pesticide free produce year round). By doing this, they give their society a positive view on farming and healthy eating.
Happy Harvest currently does business with multiple local restaurants and produces a vast variety of produce for these businesses. Many businesses come to them for hard to find, rare produce.
Happy harvest provides their community with healthy produce that contains no potentially harmful pesticides. By doing this, they contribute to a healthier community and educate people about hydroponics and its benefits. In addition to providing their community with fresh, clean produce, Happy Harvest also provides job opportunities for disabled students from a local high school. By doing these things, they provide a great value to Denville and surrounding municipalities.
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Cris Tuhy, Marketing
