Our story
HANDS ON: Smart Life Farms is a veteran-owned, family-run business built by George Bricker and Lynn Knight. Our team is 100% locally-hired on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, part of our commitment to on-the-job training and making a difference in inspiring a new generation of farmers. After the 2017 hurricanes wiped many farms in the region out, we wanted to bring fresh, sustainably produced healthy produce to the islands in a secure indoor location.
Farming in the Caribbean is a risky venture which means dealing with hurricanes and droughts.We created Smart Life Farms after two 2017 Caribbean hurricanes devastated local farms and disrupted supply chains that bring fresh food to the community. On St. Thomas, there is very little flat land and 97% of the produce is imported. After being trucked across the country or from another country, it takes 4 days to get everything to St. Thomas by ship and at least 5 days before it gets to local stores and restaurants. It's no wonder the shelf life of fresh produce is so short and after 72 hours some of the nutritional value is diminished. At our farm, we can harvest today and have fresh food for your table tonight. Everything we grow lasts much longer too!
We are actually two farms in one: hydroponically grown greens and herbs, and a mushroom farm using climate-controlled technology that brings fresh food closer to home. We are 95% more water efficient than traditional farming. We even recycle water from our air conditioning! Our innovative vertical hydroponic equipment provides needed nutrients directly to the plants' roots in the safest possible environment. The water system is completely contained, so there is no potential for contamination like you might see in outdoor farms that are subject to potential runoff. In any event, to ensure our safety plan is the best it can be, we have been trained in produce growing safety from Cornell University.
What's Growing Today at the Farm
Whether you're looking for nutritious mushrooms or the freshest possible arugula and mixed lettuce, you'll find it at our farmhere. We also grow sweet Genovese basil with delicious large leaves -- perfect for salads, cooking in soups or pesto. Microgreens are another exciting product we can grow to order. We typically stock confetti, broccoli and basil microgreens, but are ready to plant whatever type our customers want. Microgreens are a wonderfully healthy choice, offering up to 40% more nutrients than mature plants.
Transforming warehouse to farm
Warehouse to farm
Vertical hydroponics
Vertical hydroponics
Taking an empty building, adding walls, ceiling, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical took several months before the equipment arrived. The transformation was all done by our President George Bricker and dedicated St. Thomas team members.
Vertical hydroponics
Vertical hydroponics
Vertical hydroponics
It was an exciting day in October 2022 when all of the equipment from Harvest Today arrived! Founder and CEO Rick Langill brought a team to help.with the assembly of grow walls, lighting, controls and software.
From seed to harvest
Vertical hydroponics
From seed to harvest
From sowing to harvests, our team works to get the right formula for each plant. Temperature, watering schedule, lighting and harvesting using "cut and come again" ensures we maximize the value and nutrition of each plant with no waste.