We’re Spinning Our Salad Now (and we have a new tractor!)

New salad spinners

If you have enjoyed a winter share with us, have you noticed the difference in the salad greens, spinach, and kale? Everything is less damp now!

Greens wash area

ICF bought 2 new Speed Queen commercial washing machines and have converted them to giant salad spinners.  We will continue to triple rinse all of the salad greens, but now we will be spinning them at the end resulting in a drier, higher quality, longer lasting, final product.    Food safety is key in all facets at ICF, especially in the wash station.  We consulted University of Vermont Extension services and used guidelines they created for the conversions.  We also talked to other Intervale Farmers who are using washing machines as spinners. They have had great results.

We can see the improvement already and hope you can, too.

Kubota M96SHDM

On the equipment front: Near the end of 2023 we bought a new(er) tractor to pick up some of the load from our older and worn machines.  Our lightly-used 2012 Kubota M96 is only our second tractor of the 13 we’ve owned that was designed for vegetable farms (along with our 1949 Allis Chalmers G), though it came from a ginseng farm near Utica, NY. 

The chief features distinguishing our new Kubota are, a) narrow tires (about 12”) that allow us to drive through a crop without driving on it; b) high clearance (25”) under the center of the tractor so we can weed and work over taller crops like Zucchini, Onions, and Brussels sprouts without breaking leaves, and; c) a super slow transmission which we need for pulling our transplanter.  We think that this combination will make our work easier and faster.  It will certainly burn less diesel, operate more safely & quietly, and need less maintenance and repair attention.