Submitted by Jen Halfinger
(January 15, 2026) — With farming being as labor intensive as it is, turning to automation to lighten the work load, become more efficient and to stay successful becomes a necessity. “The Echo Hanging Basket System will help us become more efficient. It will ultimately help us grow an even better hanging basket,” explained John Halfinger of Halfinger Farms in Higganum.
The system will be tend to 500 baskets, moving them from end to end of the greenhouse on a looped cable system. Along their route, the baskets will enter a watering station where they will be weighed to assess their need for water. If a basket weighs out too light, it will be showered for a thorough watering.
The Echo System will allow the Halfingers to mix baskets with different watering needs on the same line, something they couldn’t do before. John explained, “This system is amazing; it will attend to the watering needs of 500 hanging baskets, and be responsible for moving them from end to end of the greenhouse. It’s going to save countless trips for us.”
40 years ago, the Echo Hanging Basket System, was designed by Arie Vanwingerden in Pipersville, Pennsylvania. It worked so well that the family started manufacturing and selling the system. Today, under the name Cherry Creek Systems, the company manufactures and sells an entire line of automated greenhouse growing systems.
The Halfingers are installing an Echo System on each side of greenhouse #1. They are doing the installation work themselves, and expect it to take about six weeks total. It will be put to work right away for the 2026 growing season. An open house to show the system in action is scheduled for April 18, 2026.
Photo above provided by Halfinger Farms: John and Alden Halfinger with a drive wheel.
