The Pittston City Farmers Market is held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Tuesday, and each week, the Sunday Dispatch will feature a vendor from the market.

Bill and Amanda Banta have owned Rowlands PA Produce in Falls for the past four years and have attended the Pittston City Farmers Market for the past three. Much of the business’ crops are farmed using a hydroponic method, which is a way to grow plants in mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil.

Question: What do you grow?

Rowlands PA Produce: Hydroponic greens, lettuces and field crops.

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Q: When in the year does your planting season start?

R: We grow our hydroponic greens all year.

Q: What is the best part of being a farmer?

R: Working together as a family and establishing great relationships with the local community.

Q: What is the hardest obstacle of farming?

R: The long stressful summer season, while completely worthwhile, bring very long days.

Q: Was there a specific year, moment or event that was especially difficult to get through?

R: The first two years we had a learning curve, with improvement in growing each year.

Q: Any advice to the amateur gardener?

R: Ask for help and advice!

Q: How did the weather affect your crops this year?

R: The mild weather, while allowing us to cut down on heat costs, was very hard on our lettuce growth. We did not have enough supply to meet our demand.

Brianne Randall and Amanda Banta
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_BrianneRandall-AmandaBanta_Rowlands.jpg.optimal.jpgBrianne Randall and Amanda Banta

Staff reports

Farmers market coordinator Mary Angelella contributed to this report. Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or email sd@s24530.p831.sites.pressdns.com.