The Heart of the Farm: Exploring The Post Harvest Station

[@TheDrewsample]

I love your honest review of the new Rubbermaid totes. "One thing that Rubbermaid has done in the last couple years, is stop making good ones." I do not think you intended it to be funny, but your authentic disgust of their drop in quality made me laugh. Great video brother!

[@FatChanceTheCouchDog]

DON'T TOSS THE DAMAGED TOTES!!! Recyclers will want them. They can be tossed into a shredder, melted, pushed through an extruder and then coiled into 3d printing spools for later use. They can also be shredded, melted down and then put through a process called pyrolysis. This turns the plastic into fuel. Strips of plastic can also be used for repairing other plastic objects of the same type of plastic by melting it down with a soldering iron or similar type tool (purpose made) which can then extend the life of the repaired item. So please don't toss the totes, throw up a post on Craigslist and someone will take it off your hands for you and recycle them.

[@jongraziano7408]

ridiculously helpful.. I just direct seeded a few hundred feet of spinach and salad greens, and now my plan is to fix up our harvesting/washing set up with many of these ideas in time to process the stuff. Customers and chefs have been notified, pressure's on. Thanks again for all your help!

[@thefaeryman]

I use a 9" by 12" ziplock gusset food grade bag for bagging my greens, they help keep a bubble of air in the air which helps the greens last longer. the mushrooms I sell are in paper bags which I get from a dollar store has the best price.

[@JeffreyVastine]

Curtis, if you get some strips of lumber that is cut to fit under the lip on the totes where they have torn by the handle and is longer than the handle width, then screw or glue them in place with something like liquid nails or similar construction adhesive you will increase the longevity of those totes. I hope this is helpful. Peace!

[@RS-jj7yj]

I don't know if you have Walmarts in Canada or if they ship to Canada but they carry Rubbermaid "roughneck" totes. they're supposed to be more durable

[@16Allisone]

Home Depot has food grade totes completely black FYI I co firmed the plastic they made of are food grade. It's there more expensive completely black with yellow tops one. Gonna buy your book soon thanks Curtis and G-d bless you and the family!!!!

[@hailstorm711]

Thanks for sharing Curtis.

[@askaboutRudyV]

Hi Curtis, You can buy Tough Boxes, I think the name of the company changed the name of the box, but anyway, they are black 27 gallon or a larger size, and they have yellow lids.

[@akane6335]

Great Videos! Where do you get your bags for greens at the market? Thanks!

[@hollykarlsen1792]

The Goodwill store in my town always seems to have big plastic totes for a couple dollars each. They are usually mismatched and have no lids, but because they're older, maybe they're the tougher ones.

[@nandiwaidyatilleka3569]

Good stuff...Thank you Curtis..!

[@ABAdventureChannel]

Great video Curtis, thanks again!

[@seaserpent40]

This is so incredibly helpful. I'm a new farmer (buying a property from my brother soon) and I am designing my first harvest wash/pack station. My main crop is blueberries, but what is so valuable about this is it is making me think in terms of systems, and how to customize the workspace for my particular mix of crops. The walk-in coolers are exactly what I have been looking for. Do you know if they also make walk-in freezers with a similar footprint?

[@TurnerFamilyFarmsIncTeachey]

Great stuff. Hopefully, Rubbermaid will see it. :)

[@qualqui]

As always Curtis, sharing your knowledge with the rest of us, finding time to check your website out and get your book, greetings from Mexico! :)

[@fallmanorama]

thanks man, appreciate the videos. Best info a micro(lawn or not) farmer can get (y)

[@Alicialovestodraw]

You are so awesome man! Thanks for all the videos

[@BustandBoom]

Hi Curtis could you do a Video about soaking your seeds prior to planting ??? Thanks Peter

[@acanthe2279]

Great job ! Could you tell me what is the surface of your enclosed area ? Thanks

[@allenellis5335]

Anyone know (may have been said but I missed it) what bags are used and what size for the washed vegetables? Especially greens and micro greens.

[@christophersmith8014]

Curtis, Does Grower's Supply Co. there in Kelowna not carry the Macro Totes anymore? They are still listed as a partner with MacroPlastics. Even if they don't keep them in stock they should order some for you when you need them. Dubois should have them too; they don't list the totes on their website but they still list the pallet sized bins.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I couldn't get them there this year. Super frustrating. Dubois could probably get them though.

[@ryanwillett728]

The water from the spin cycle, where does that go if you've removed all the functions of the washer?

[@Freshiz325]

Dropping knowledge. Thanks man!

[@carinthompson375]

Thanks so much for this video. So helpful!! A couple questions... How did you construct the mesh drying table to fold up and down? Also do you have any cleanliness guideline checklist /best practices kind of thing to follow to ensure food safety to customers?

[@stevefoster1451]

great video with lots of great suggestions. I have one question. do you use soap in your bubbler, if you do what type, and how do you rinse it off? I guess that's three questions. thanks for all your helpful videos.

[@reformationinc.3376]

No soap

[@donaleepaul2922]

Curtis, I am prepping to order salad bags but I am not sure how big to order? Also how did you do your label? Like may contain..... and then list everything that may be in there? including micro greens? BTW thanks for al you do we watch your channel so much!

[@derekwladischkin774]

Sorry for the simple question but I am curious as to how often, and what method, you use to clean your post harvest station, mainly your wash table, modified washer and bins?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

A power washer. We clean the table every day.

[@lachica-feliz761]

You don't it's too much pression for the green with the bubbler and the spin machin??

[@simonemcissac546]

What packaging do you use for greens for grocery stores? They seem to require clamshells? We are looking into other options.

[@Qualicumtom]

Hey Curtis, I went ahead and replicated what you've got there but I'm getting really cheesed at the mesh laundry bags, as the greens get stuck in the holes and often start to tear. What bags are you using? I also built the drying table with hardware cloth from Home Depot and I find it to be rather rough on the greens and on my hands. What were your thoughts/solutions there?

[@jaksmith6465]

How do you know how to plan the cost of packaging , labor , and other costs into your pricing ?

[@wildedibles819]

Maybe the plastic has changed... I haven't tried the new ones they all look the same now... B4 they were so much better...

[@Tito_vibes]

You put holes in the totes that go in the walk in? How many per tote?

[@ethansmith7659]

What do you use the tote lids for? Could you use them as flats?

[@havayoth]

In a post harvest scenario: how many people actually work at one point at a time in that area?

[@KcarlMarXs]

Have you ever considered non-plastic bags? Are there feasible options out there?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I tried them for years. In fact, I've tried almost every alternative out there. It's difficult. I wish I was doing more photography and filming back then, then I'd make a video on it. I will add that to my next Q&A though, because I think it's important to address. Thanks for asking.

[@SpicyAl3000]

Hi Curtis, thanks for all the great inspiration! A question - what is the material for the drying screen?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

2x4's, wood screws, and quarter inch galvanized steel mess. Plus 2 box fans.

[@SpicyAl3000]

Much obliged, thank you.

[@alexbrown2094]

Hey Curtis, Im in the planning phase of my post harvest station and plan on using a lot of the advise you have in this video and in your book. One question, what would you say is the ideal size of a wash/package station footprint??

[@numbereight886]

What about the drywall cladding you have? It's not designed for outdoor use and it should be sealed. Me, I'd suggest you 'stop' it (effectively put put compound in the joints) and then seal and paint the surface area. Me, I'd have used plywood given exposure to outside elements.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Number Eight that's on the list of to do's.

[@maguisp6479]

Excelente video

[@jaymcg7419]

ask bakers where they get their totes, fishermen are a mine of info too.. crab boxes etc. maybe u could trade with one hehe. thx for the vids... Irish

[@lhartwig2354]

Surprised you are not required to use food grade plastics when processing and storing food. Also are galvanised screens actually food safe?

[@tonesdef]

L Hartwig Canada has less stringent food safety laws and his farm would be able to get exemption to stupidly stringent food safety laws here in the us

[@jacobkendrick4169]

Whats an ideal temperature range to store your microgreens at?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

2-4 decrees celcius.

[@davidyoungg]

I have done a search on the greens washer an cannot find the video on it can ya help me out with a link to it please and thanks!

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Greens Bubbler.

[@davidyoungg]

I did a search on that too on your page you have to go back out to the main youtube page and search it there for it to come up! Doesn't come up when you search via your YT channel!

[@davidyoungg]

Also they sell those air pumps for blowing up bouncy yard toys! They draw 3.6 amps and are only 40 dollars on ebay check them out!

[@numbereight886]

+Leesville Aquaponics Homestead He did at least 1 vid on the greens washer as he shows how he built it etc.

[@simanba]

What is the reason as to why you use closed totes instead of totes with holes in them?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

We drilled holes in our totes.

[@maggielovesgoats]

What size are those lawn and garden bags you use for lining waxed boxes? Thanks!

[@offgridcurtisstone]

regular garbage bag size.

[@kathleenbaron1405]

Are the lawn and leaf bags food grade plastic?

[@pamelahybridge]

can you use less plastic? something more biodegradable?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I've been trying to find the right product for 7 years straight. If you can find one for me, please let me know.

[@ssn139]

I think Rubbermaid re-branded their nicer totes you used to get as "Roughneck." So now that's the "premium" one while the standard is the cheaper one.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Not the Rough Necks I've bought this year. Those weigh 3.5 lbs. They used to weigh over 4.

[@ssn139]

Weird. I was going off of a few descriptions I found online that listed them at 5lbs. Guess they just weren't updated after the switch.

[@christophersmith8014]

The BRUTE sub-brand of Rubbermaid products are their commercial food grade plastics. They are the super tough ones and all BPA free. They're more expensive, but definitely built to take a beating. They seem to be limited on sizes for the totes in the Brute line though, but they also have standardized food totes. The food totes are even more costly, but also impressively tough.

[@1bigfiss]

You may have found this allredy but here is a link to the rubbermaid totes. www.rubbermaid.com/en-US/shop-products/storage-boxes/roughneck%C2%AE/roughneck-storage-box

[@numonik99]

try MacroPlactics (macroplastics.com) for the crates.

[@Bigcedartrader]

I bought some at the Container Stores that are like the Macro Totes you indicate. Don't know about Canada, but they are all over the states in bigger cities.

[@tumba3182]

that technique to clean the drying rack is *que doge meme* much pragmatic.

[@tumba3182]

taking a rip to that pure pragmatism.

[@nfn7121]

Container Store for best totes

[@XxdjforrestxX]

I would move to brute trash cans

[@XxdjforrestxX]

Our company uses them for sera in the immunology field so they are good and lab safe

[@bodhisattva99]

totes

[@skrillamanilla2078]

Chris, my GF hates you because i stay up watching your videos to all hours of the night. This video is another example of why i feel its justifiable to tell her to shutup and go away. Is there a vegetable or fruit that detours women?

[@skrillamanilla2078]

zero7negative don't get your hopes up, your mom has needs remember?

[@18deadmonkeys]

What temp do you keep your walkin coolers?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

2-4c.