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COVER STORY















                                                                                         Babikow Greenhouses has 10 acres
                                                                                         of production space for annuals
                                                                                         and perennials in Baltimore, MD.


               to operate the drones in the future.                                     “Biologicals are a huge part
               Babikow will trial drones this spring.                                 of what we do,” Tim Babikow
                 “Applicator safety is a huge ben-                                    says. “We use beneficial insects
               efit of drones. You fly them from a                                    to start our liners — start it
               distance,” Tim Babikow says. “The                                      clean and keep it clean.”
               way the pesticide is applied, it’s more                                  Sifleet says the University of
               efficient, effective, and will use less                                Maryland Extension has many
               product. There is better control than                                  educational resources for bio-
               using a human, because different                                       logical controls, noting that the
                                            Babikow Greenhouses grows Nassella tenuissima for its
               people have different conceptions of   customers every year.           university has been educating
               how to spray.”                                                         growers on biocontrols for the
                                                               last 15 years. In order to balance potential health concerns
               The Benefits of Biologicals                     with chemical pesticides and the need to control pests, such
                 Sifleet and Anthony Eversmier, a head grower for perennials   as thrips, Sifleet and Eversmier decided to test biocontrols on
               and propagation, have spearheaded Babikow’s use of biologicals,   their crops. They started with perennial liners, found quick
               a component of its IPM program. The use of biological controls,   success, and kept going.
               such as beneficial insects, over the last eight years has reduced   “The pest level is much lower by using biologicals. The
               the amount of chemical pesticides that the operation has needed   ability to work within the area is increased, because you don’t
               to use.                                         have to use a re-entry interval (REI) on a regular basis. In other
                                                                               words, you don’t need to spray to control
                                                                               the problem,” Eversmier says of their
             Customer Service Sets Babikow Apart
                                                                               success with biologicals “As the days
               Babikow Greenhouses takes its customer service seriously. President Tim   lengthen, we will continue releasing                                                                           Advertising • Brochures
             Babikow says the operation offers next-day delivery most of the year. Aside from   more beneficials. Ninety-eight percent of                                                               Direct Mail • Catalogs
             a few busy weeks in May, if a customer calls in an order by noon one day, it can be   the time, if you choose the proper plant
             delivered by 7 a.m. the following day. Competitors may build a truck, then send   to put them on, you have success.”                                                                   Logo Design • Package Design
             the truck out for delivery when it is full. Babikow does not wait to build the truck,   When thinking about the future of                                                             Trade Show & Vehicle Graphics
             and will deliver when the customer needs the product.             Babikow Greenhouses, Tim Babikow says
               Babikow says customers will speak to a live customer service representative   he is excited for another 150 years. High-
             when they call the business, rather than dealing with an automated line and long   quality crops and excellent customer
             hold times. This goes for every department, including production and accounting.  service have sustained the business so
               “That’s the old family business mentality,” Babikow says.       far, and he expects those same values to
               Some of Babikow’s customers like to see the product live, and they will come   propel this family business forward for
             to the greenhouse to select exactly which plants they want. Sifleet says many   many years to come.
             competitors do not allow customers to select their own plants, so this is a benefit   “When I think about what makes
             for customers of Babikow.                                         Babikow unique, I think about the people
               Babikow Greenhouses also provides a two-hour tour for its customers called   I’m speaking with right now,” Babikow                                                                 GREGORY J. CANNIZZARO
             A Growing Experience at Babikow. Customers and prospective customers have   says of his team members. Longstanding
             a behind-the-scenes look at production. The tours are by appointment only and   team members with knowledge, experi-                                                                        GRAPHIC  DESIGN
             usually take place during the off season.
               “Educating the customer is just as important as servicing the customer,” Tim   ence, and a tight-knit bond are the                                                                Office: 302-564-7706 • Cell: 443-326-7748
             Babikow says. “We find it is very valuable to educate folks so they know exactly   cornerstone of Babikow Greenhouses                                                                    gjc.graphicdesign@yahoo.com
             what goes into growing their plant material. It takes months of planning, produc-  and its ongoing success.   GG                                                                        behance.com/gregorycannizzaro
             tion, and growing to get that finished product delivered.”        Julie Hullett is the Senior Editor of Greenhouse
                                                                               Grower.  jhullett@meistermedia.com

            8  Greenhouse Grower   April 2024                                                                                                                                                                           Membership Matters • SPRING 2024   41
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