Producer

Gilkerson Gardens is a family farming operation located east of Brookings, South Dakota specializing in greenhouse produce. I have grown tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, and zucchini in greenhouses over the past 10 years or so. This year I'm growing mostly tomatoes and some cucumbers and zucchini. With the use of greenhouses I am able to have a long growing season.

I have been moving steadily toward organic practices over the years and as of 2021 I am fully organic in practice, though not yet certified. All of our produce is grown in soil with composted cow manure as the primary source of fertility. If additional fertilizer is needed I will be using organic products. Weeds are controlled through mulching and hand weeding. Disease is managed primarily by variety selection, crop rotation, and other cultural practices. Pest control is achieved through the use of beneficial insects. I use bumble bees for pollination.