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The Quickley Produce Farm in Galena, MO is a true testament to family collaboration. David and Terry Quick, alongside their daughter Alisha, affectionately known as "Pinky," and her husband Russ, have successfully run this hydroponic farm for years. Their specialty lies in cultivating exquisite beefsteak, heirloom, and cherry tomatoes, as well as cucumbers. With an impressive 11-month growing season, they often rely on the help of their grandchildren and Terry's mother, Pauline, who adds both charm and experience to the team.
Interestingly, farming wasn't always part of the Quick family's story. For three decades, they thrived in the concrete construction industry. However, when the housing market took a downturn during the 2000s recession, they decided to explore new ventures. Growing up, David’s family ran a tomato farm, and the idea of reviving that legacy while embracing modern hydroponic techniques seemed ideal.
Hydroponics allows farmers to maximize crop yields in confined spaces and extend the growing period. At Quickley Produce Farm, plants thrive in nutrient-rich water instead of soil. They maintain almost year-round production, save for December when they sanitize and prepare the greenhouses for the upcoming season.
David gave some insight into how their greenhouses function. At one end sits a "waterwall" with a constantly circulating grid of water and fans that vaporize the water to cool the plants. On the opposite side, another fan draws the vapor throughout the greenhouse. There's also a complex setup of bato buckets that feed roots with water and nutrients on a timer, plus a pulley system for organizing hanging vines.
Quickley doesn’t stop there. Each greenhouse houses a small hive of bumblebees, which naturally pollinate the plants. Without these bees, David jokes, the manual pollination process would become tedious quickly.
On the day we visited, the family had already harvested nearly 1,000 pounds of tomatoes. In the packing house, David explained the meticulous process of sorting and ripening the tomatoes. The vibrant reds, greens, and yellows lined long tables, and he estimated that every 8-foot section could hold around 250 pounds—imagine the volume!
Next door, Pauline, now 83, manages the cucumber storage. Her role involves inspecting and wiping each cucumber by hand before packaging them in crates of 50. "If it’s not something I’d want to buy myself, it doesn’t leave here," she insists as she sorts through the morning’s harvest.
Since opening in 2008, Quickley Produce Farm has doubled in size. Currently operating out of four greenhouses, David notes, "We still aren’t producing as much as we could sell—it’s wild." With plans to partner with Springfield Public Schools to supply fresh local produce, expansion seems inevitable.
As summer reaches its peak, local produce is flourishing. Quickley remains dedicated to sustaining strong ties with regional markets and restaurants, ensuring a steady supply every week. By season's end, they'll have grown, picked, and delivered over 45,000 pounds of tomatoes.
Even with a short break planned for December, the Quick family shows no signs of slowing down. Their passion for growth continues to drive their success, ensuring the future looks as bright as their tomatoes.