US: Feeding a community with a greenhouse

A homestead turned market farm, Terramonga's owners describe it as "a peculiar marriage of old-timey animal husbandry and newfangled vegetable practices."

Joe Evans has been farming in Western North Carolina for over 15 years and was invited to join the Terrmonga team as the vegetable production manager in early 2025. After years of growing vegetables on a gardening scale, Terramonga began selling their produce to restaurants, food hubs and aggregators who put together CSA boxes for the Appalachian community.

© Rimol Greenhouses

Recently, Terramonga opened their brick-and-mortar store, a small grocery market with a deli counter, bakery, and plenty of provisions for sale. "We see it as a one-stop shop for people where they can get all our farm products, plus other locally produced food products," said Joe.

In 2024, the Terramonga team worked with sales representative Matt Hand to purchase their first greenhouse, a 30' x 84' Rimol Matterhorn. The greenhouse is heated, allowing them to extend the season and even grow year-round. It also features a ridge vent, sidewall vents and a Wadsworth energy curtain system, which can help with cooling during hot North Carolina summers. "It's a lot harder to cool a greenhouse in the summer than it is to heat it in the winter," said Joe. "I've noticed a huge difference in having that extra layer of climate control with the ridge vents and sidewall vents, as well as the exhaust fans and circulation fans."

© Rimol Greenhouses

Speaking on the strength of the Matterhorn greenhouse, Joe joked, "It could take a bomb." He added, "It's the strongest structure I've ever used. I feel fortunate to have that resource to grow in."