Leading Greenhouse Executive Discusses Labor Shortage and Future for Indoor Growing
In a recent interview with Twin Cities Business, Chuck Tryon, President of greenhouse vegetable operation Bushel Boy in Owatonna, MN, discussed labor challenges and the future of indoor growing.
Tryon became president of Bushel Boy during the COVID-19 pandemic, when labor shortages were affecting most businesses in the U.S.
“Farm labor in the U.S. is a challenge, whether you’re indoors or outdoors,” Tryon says. “It does cause daily challenges.”
During that time, Tryon worked out a partnership with the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce to recruit more workers.
“There is a little bit of a lag [in filling jobs],” Tryon said. “We’re working hard with the local chamber of commerce and other businesses to promote that it’s not just an area for new construction and new development, but also a place for people to live, work, and thrive.”
Despite these challenges, Tryon sees potential in indoor farming becoming a bigger business. Since Bushel Boy’s founding, the company spent more than $35 million, expanding into Iowa and adding square footage to its greenhouses.
“It’s a really active time in the world of indoor farming,” Tryon says. “There’s a lot of investment going into the space. There’s a lot of expansions by a number of different companies and startups.”
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