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by -JD- from Foxrad WeatherCenter

Last Post 8 days Ago


An interesting press release I ran across...

   

When you think of an airport, you think of airplanes, flight attendants, security lines, maybe some unique shopping opportunities - but, hay? These days big round bales and neatly stacked squares of hay can be seen from the roads at both George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Ellington Field (EFD).

It started as part of an employee suggestion program with an idea to use the open land around IAH and EFD to grow and sell hay in order to generate revenue for the Houston Airport System (HAS).

The employee who suggested the program is the airport system’s director, Richard Vacar, who also owns horses and knows quite a bit about buying and selling hay.

“We’re always looking for ways to better our airport and to create additional sources of revenue,” says Vacar. “The thought came to me - I make hay off of my land by selling hay, just imagine how much money we can make out here with hundreds of acres of open land. We could be the Wal-Mart of the hay business!”

Of the 10,000 acres that comprise IAH, 250 acres are presently being used to harvest hay and 50 of the 2,500 acres at EFD are being used.

"Interested parties are more than welcomed to come on over and buy our hay. We’re open to both brokers and anyone who has a farm that needs hay.”

When the hay project is finally in full swing some 2,000 acres of land at IAH and EFD will be used to grow hay, providing a projected revenue source of roughly $4 million dollars a year. Cutting and baling at the airports this year will continue until the fall.

To get your ranch-hands on some of your own hay at a bargain price, call 281-230-8701 for more information.

Copyright © 2008 - Houston Airport System

7 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 7
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PBMom read my blog view my photos
Aug 16, 2008 | 1:11 AM

That man deserves the keys to the city. Or at least his own parking space at the airport (employee of the month, etc.) What a super idea.

HereAmI read my blog view my photos
Aug 16, 2008 | 9:50 AM

It was once common practice to see hay being made along highway medians, utility easments, fields in Houston. I am not sure why this stopped though suspect trash in the hay or liability issues.

Airports must maintain the area clear of debris or FOD so this will likely work until a plane hits a tractor. I find it interesting the tractor in the photo is not sporting one of those red and white checkered flags.

Gottaluvit read my blog view my photos
Aug 17, 2008 | 2:29 PM

When I lived in Michigan we bailed hay all along the power line easment. The power company loved us for that. It kept them from mowing around those High tension towers and gave us plenty of hay for the cattle PLUS some to sell. HAY.....where's my free electricity?

DamaliKeith read my blog view my photos
Aug 18, 2008 | 9:51 AM

HAY!!!! Who knew?

hibberd read my blog view my photos
Aug 18, 2008 | 12:34 PM

Hay! That's cool!

Donnelly read my blog view my photos
Aug 18, 2008 | 1:05 PM

Hay-ya!

AmbulanceGirl read my blog view my photos
Aug 21, 2008 | 8:52 PM

Hay! I work there and didn't even know that...$4 mil a year? That's a nice tidy sum of money...

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-JD-

I'm the Weekend Meteorologist at Fox26. >>>Operating the nation's most sophisticated weather radar while at work. >>>Trying to be a good husband and father while at home. >>>And looking to waterski in my free time.

Member Since: 1/20/2007