Dave Chapman makes no apologies for his one-track mind. That’s because, for Chapman and his staff at Longwind Farms in Vermont, focus is what’s borne the sweetest fruit.

“There’s an awful lot to growing tomatoes,” said Chapman. “It’s funny, people have asked me, ‘Well, would you consider growing another crop?’, and I'm actually intimidated by it. It took me so long to figure out how to grow tomatoes.”

Now, with more than 25 years in the field, Chapman knows his way around a tomato, and Longwind Farms is well known in the region for its wholesome, tasty produce. But in this greenhouse, the key to the perfect tomato has had as much to do with trial and error as it has hard work, attentiveness and TLC. In a word: dedication.

It’s difficult for the backyard gardener to understand the effort that goes into producing two acres of greenhouse tomatoes. And because of Longwind’s organic, soil-based growing method, it’s perhaps the most intensive form of agriculture in the world. This includes making their own soil by composting manure from local sources and other organic means, and nurturing and harvesting red wiggler worms to produce fertilizer.

Additionally, Chapman and others on the farm spend hours making minute adjustments to the greenhouse environment using finely tuned precision instruments that control temperature, humidity, moisture and other elements. But it’s all in a day’s work for Chapman and Longwind Farms, growing perfection one tomato at a time. Look for Longwind Farms tomatoes in the produce section of your local Hannaford Supermarket.