Sklarczyk Seed Farm LLC recognizes the importance of earth friendly sustainable practices and the benefits they will provide for our future generations. That is why they were the first farm in Otsego County and one of the first Greenhouse operations in Michigan to become verified under the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). This concept has been an anchor in the basic operational decisions at SSF for generations. SSF went beyond implementing suggestions of the Pollution Prevention, Waste Reduction, & Energy Conservation Report on behalf of the Environmental Science & Services Division, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in its desire to reduce energy requirements. Some of the recent ideas are:

• Although when constructed, all buildings were insulated above industry standards, SSF feels this is not enough.
• A thermal imaging company used infrared heat cameras to detect heat loss/heat gain.
• Space age insulation, foil/bubble bubble/foil, was installed on the bottoms of roof trusses to create a convection effect, this will vent heat out during the summer and cold during the winter from the attic areas.
• Blown in fiberglass insulation was used to bring the attic insulation to an R 75
• A 1" thermo break of insulation was added to all cooler floors which will reduce the amount of cooling run time.
• Hydro cooling pads and energy efficient fans greatly reduced the summer cooling energy requirements of the greenhouses.
• The lighting system in the growth chambers of the tissue culture laboratory were changed to the latest energy saving devices. This reduced the energy required to produce light for plant growth. Just as importantly, heat generated by the lighting system was reduced by over 50% to greatly reduce cooling requirements.
• In floor heat was installed in all greenhouses. Our goal is to provide the correct temperature at plant height while reducing heat loss out the tops of the greenhouses
• An energy shade curtain system reduces heat/cooling requirements even more within our greenhouses.
• Latest insulation technology was used in all greenhouses to reduce energy requirements.
• SSF has been permitted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for the collection and use of waste oil. Waste oil generated by neighbors and the local school system is consumed in approved waste oil burners. Heat produced from this waste oil reduces SSF fossil fuel dependency.
• Use of GPS for all Field operation.
• Use advancements in technology on equipment.
• Use of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) For Greenhouse and Farm.
• Use of cooling pad to run the fans for less time and conserve energy.
• Over 2,000 trees planted for windbreaks and wildlife food.
• Native grass planted on erodible ground for wildlife use.