As a part of the Morven Summer Institute, a group of students from the University of Virginia created this Vegetable Washing Station in order to aid small farmers in harvest efficiency. The station is meant to be in or near the field in order to streamline the harvest-to-market process and help with the negative affects of vegetables wilting due to field heat. It features a double-basin sink, a drying rack, a loop holder for a hose, and several basket shelves. The leafy vegetables can be soaked in one of the sink basins, while other vegetables can be rinsed off in the other. Once washed, vegetables can be placed on the chicken wire drying surface and then transferred into a cooler. This Vegetable Washing Station was made from almost all repurposed or reclaimed materials that are very easy to find at a hardware store, a used materials store (such as a Habitat for Humanity ReStore), or just lying around. By using reclaimed materials, the price of the station can be significantly reduced in comparison to using new materials.
In the "How-To Guide", you can find a cost of materials list, a broader overview of the project, and a step-by-step guide with photos. Check out the How-To Guide here.
The Vegetable Washing Station and How-To Guide were created by Jenna Godfrey, Doug Beach, and Cristina Maldonado at the Morven Summer Institute in 2011.
