Casondra Meyers

Front 9 Farm, Lodi, OH July 2015 to present

Founder, Owner

Front 9 Farm is a ten-acre diversified farm which sells direct to consumers through a 50 member CSA program and through local farmers' markets. Over 100 unique fruit and vegetable crops, poultry, eggs, lamb, and pork are cultivated using techniques based on biodynamic principles. CSA packages are distributed weekly, and include five recipes which use all of that week's products with minimal additional ingredients required. High volume, year-round production is achieved using season extension materials and techniques, as well as rapid succession cropping, year-round transplant production, and hydroponically irrigated vining crops.

Responsibilities include plant diagnostics, soil and nutrient management, irrigation management, integrated pest and disease management, and post-harvest processing. Additional management responsibilities include coordinating farm to table food events hosted in collaboration with local chefs, as well as a small seasonal farm crew.

CropKing, Inc., Lodi, OH June 2012 – July 2015

For 35 years CropKing has been commercial hydroponic equipment supplier and leader in the hydroponic industry. CropKing has provided hundreds of commercial growers with hydroponic growing systems, technical equipment and horticultural support.

Commercial Sales Associate, Junior Horticulturalist June 2012 – July 2014

Consulted with potential growers regarding commercial greenhouse profitability; assisted in business plan projections. Provided technical support beginning with greenhouse construction through equipment installation. Traveled the country presenting monthly grower training workshops in commercial growing facilities. Presented to prospective commercial customers on vining crop and NFT production, greenhouse design, and the economics of hydroponic production.

Senior Horticulturalist, Research Greenhouse Manager July 2014 – July 2015

Assisted CropKing’s many hydroponic growers in problem solving pest, disease, fertility and environmental issues experienced during crop production. Performed water and plant tissue analysis, and calculated hydroponic fertilizer recipes for customers. Trialed tomato, cucumber, pepper, eggplant, lettuce and over thirty herbaceous crops for their suitability in commercial production within CropKing's 3,000 square foot research greenhouse. Managed the fertility, environmental controls, and pest and disease scouting for the crop trials. Also trialed new equipment and products including organic fertilizers, and ozone systems, and refined the double-transplant technique used with new CropKing’s NFT systems.

EDUCATION

Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

College of Arts and Sciences

M.S., March 2012, Plant Biochemistry

Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems

B.S., June 2010, Biomedical Engineering

Specialized in Biomaterial and Tissue Engineering