How One Farmer Extended Strawberry Season to 22 Weeks with Vertical Farming
Andy Petran started Twin Cities Berry Company in 2018 to grow strawberries in an innovative way. His approach combines farming, research, and education for other growers. Now, his methods are extending the harvest season and cutting labour costs significantly.
Petran's farm uses high-density, vertical strawberry production inside high tunnels. This technique stretches the harvest to around 22 weeks—far longer than traditional open-field growing. He also tracks every cost with spreadsheets to measure profitability per batch.
In 2020, he expanded by launching a cottage food business. Using his own strawberries, he makes jams, syrups, fruit leather, and shrub. These products are sold alongside fresh berries at farmers markets, with limited wholesale distribution. Efficiency is a key focus. His system reduces labour to just over 4 minutes per pound of strawberries, a fourfold improvement over open-field methods. Petran also values branding, ensuring his products stand out with professional labels. He regularly exchanges tips with other cottage food producers at markets to refine his techniques.
Twin Cities Berry Company now operates at the crossroads of farming, research, and education. Petran's methods boost yields, cut labour, and create value-added products. His work continues to influence both his own business and other growers in the region.
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