Randall Rhyne’s career has included teaching high school biology and earth science as well as serving in the Army Reserve, with deployments to Iraq and Syria. While serving overseas, Rhyne and his unit often had little to no access to fresh food, relying on MREs or snacks like Pop Tarts. He often longed for fresh produce.
One spring when he was in the Syrian desert, he saw trucks hauling locally grown produce and found himself thinking that if the locals were able to grow their own food in the middle of a civil war, in a desert, there was no reason why he couldn’t do this at home. As soon as he returned to Virginia, Rhyne got to work.
Now, having secured a Castle Street storefront and growing space across from Luna Café on Castle Street last fall, Rhyne has created CraftGrown Farms, an indoor, hydroponic farm selling nutrient-dense microgreens, hydroponic lettuce and herbs to local restaurants and the public.
All of the growing is done inside, allowing CraftGrown Farms to produce year-round and the ability to expand its growing capacity. Rhyne said the response so far has been remarkable; in fact, he’s already outgrown his initial vertical grow system. “It’s a great problem to have,” Rhyne said.
“When you come by, I’m going to send you home with an ounce or two of greens to try and a head or two of lettuce just for stopping by,” Rhyne said.
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