In Wildwood, Florida, The Villages Grown is a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facility nestled within a thriving retirement community of over 150,000 residents. As part of The Villages, one of the largest master-planned communities in the United States, this innovative operation was established to provide fresh, nutrient-dense produce to support the health and wellness of its active residents. Dedicated to delivering crops “straight to fork” with speed and efficiency, the team at The Villages Grown prioritizes quality, consistency, and sustainability in their growing practices.
Like many large-scale growers, they faced challenges in achieving consistency and quality in their crops. By partnering with Jiffy, they not only addressed these challenges but also achieved remarkable results, setting a new benchmark for controlled environment agriculture. This article delves into the unique story of The Villages Grown and highlights how Jiffy’s Performa Line and partnership were pivotal in their success.
A Commitment to Quality and Sustainability
Pilar Galvis emphasizes Jiffy’s shared vision with The Villages Grown: “When we share similar values with our customers, that’s what makes a great match and gets us excited about developing a relationship. We are not only a media or soil supplier; we are partners. We believe in each other.”
The team at The Villages Grown recalls early challenges in achieving consistent germination and growth rates. While they recognized the need for improvements, they took a strategic approach—starting with optimizing the substrate.
Transitioning to Consistency with Jiffy’s Performa Line
Having prior experience with Jiffy products in indoor vertical farming, The Villages Grown team was already familiar with the quality and reliability of Jiffy’s solutions. When inconsistencies persisted with other grow media, they turned to Jiffy’s Performa line. Samples were tested internally, with the team closely monitoring results to ensure the transition would lead to measurable improvements.
The impact was transformative. From near-perfect germination rates to consistent growth and improved yields, the Performa line delivered undeniable results. The team quickly advocated for incorporating the product into their production processes, citing noticeable improvements across the board.
Results that Speak for Themselves
For an operation producing 50,000 heads of lettuce every week, consistency is critical. Before switching to Jiffy, failure rates during germination and field growth ranged from 15% to 25%, leading to unpredictable yields and wasted resources. “With the Performa line, germination rates hit nearly 100% on key crops like lettuces, chives, and herbs,” a team member shares. “This allowed us to reduce inputs, save costs, and predictably manage production.”
Beyond reducing failure rates, Jiffy’s substrates offered The Villages Grown greater control over their operations. “We’re no longer compensating for potential losses by overproducing. Instead, we can plan confidently, knowing our crops will perform as expected.”
A Trusted Partner for Growth
Jiffy’s support extended far beyond providing a reliable product. A team member notes, “They don’t just send samples and disappear. They follow up to understand the results, offer tailored solutions, and even innovate with us.” This collaboration proved invaluable as The Villages Grown expanded into edible flowers and fruiting crops, where customized formulations were developed to meet specific needs.
Jiffy’s responsiveness was also critical during operational challenges. Whether it was addressing a shipment delay or consulting on a new crop, Jiffy’s team was always available to provide support. This level of partnership relieved operational stress and allowed The Villages Grown to focus on what they do best—growing high-quality produce.
Building a Sustainable Future Together
Jiffy’s vision aligns with The Villages Grown’s mission to innovate while prioritizing sustainability. The ongoing collaboration ensures that The Villages Grown continues to thrive, maintaining high standards for quality, reliability, and efficiency.
This partnership showcases the power of working together to overcome challenges and drive innovation. For Jiffy, it’s about more than providing substrates; it’s about empowering growers like The Villages Grown to thrive, one crop at a time.
A Shared Vision for Excellence
Reflecting on the partnership, The Villages concludes, “Jiffy’s dedication to our success goes beyond the good times. They’re there in the tough moments, too. That kind of reliability and collaboration is what makes them an invaluable partner.”
Together, Jiffy and The Villages Grown are paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future in agriculture—one where consistency, innovation, and partnership are the seeds of success.
Let’s work together
Jiffy is a leading global supplier of premium growing media and solution thinking. We aim to serve you, our customers in plant propagation and cultivation, to achieve better results with fewer worries. We do this by continually improving, innovating, and working toward our common goals, based on scientific research, teamwork, and decades of experience. Let’s develop sustainable plant growing solutions together: Let’s start today!
