Elzinga & Hoeksema's Organic Greenhouse

"KALAMAZOO — A new, state-of-the-art greenhouse in the area is expected to provide Meijer Inc. stores with organic vegetables and potted plants.

The four-acre Elzinga & Hoeksema Organic Greenhouse in Pavilion Township, has been in the works for two years, will have 50 employees (some new, most seasonal help), and carried a $4 million price tag.

But Mark Elzinga, president of Elzinga & Hoeksema Greenhouses, appears to have looked beyond cost during the development of the project.

Besides being organic, the greenhouse will rely on sustainable energy sources. "Just the reduction of our carbon footprint alone to me justifies our efforts, not to mention the subsequent beneficial effects upon the earth," Elzinga said.

Organic growing means that artificial fertilizers, pesticides and any type of human engineering of plants have been excluded from the process."

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