AGRICULTURE
30
WHAT’S IN YOUR SALAD?
TCBusiness.com
ELLEN GILLETTE PHOTOS
Ecotone Farm uses hydroponics to produce several varieties of lettuce, including this lush green butter salnova, on its property in Fellsmere.
Farm focuses on supplying hydroponic vegetables
Florida’s economy may run on tourism,
but agriculture is next in line. Fellsmere, in
northern Indian River County, is home to
citrus groves, farms and cattle ranches. It is
also the home of Ecotone Farm owned and
operated by Jerry and Tamara Renick.
In business since 2012, its name gives a
clue to its philosophy — Ecotone’s mission
is to produce a high quality, nutritious
product that has little to no impact on the
natural environment, is pesticide free and
non-GMO (genetically modified organism).
Over the years, Ecotone has expanded
to produce 20,000 units of hydroponic
lettuce as well as several varieties of
tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and more.
Ecotone supplies local restaurants, country
clubs and grocers and features an on-site
fresh market at 13945 89th St. Its Community
Supported Agriculture program
provides boxes with seasonal lettuce and
other vegetables on a monthly basis for
pickup or delivery. Gift baskets are also
available.
BABY STEPS
The Renicks met through mutual friends
in Vero Beach, and clicked right way, according
to Tamara, who was a florist in Chicago.
“ Produce and flowers are much the
same in that you’re dealing with a perishable
crop.” Tamara’s business background
meshed well with Jerry’s environmental
vision.
Jerry and a partner had sold an aquaculture
business in Indiantown; he purchased
a 5-acre ranchette in Fellsmere as an in- >>
BY ELLEN GILLETTE
/TCBusiness.com
