NBDC 2013 Champion of Small Business
Adaption and innovation have enabled Garwood Enterprises Inc. to find new sources of revenue for the family-owned business in Dakota City, Neb. Current President and CEO Douglas Garwood directs the various operations with his son, Scott. The company´s farming operations consists of approximately 1,400 acres of row crops. Ten years ago, the Garwoods diversified their operations and added a hydroponic greenhouse to grow tomatoes and cucumbers doing business as Cardinal Farms. The 13,200-square-foot greenhouse provides fresh produce to grocery stores and restaurants in the area, and sells to the general public directly at the farm.
Most recently, the Garwoods have added a $1 million fish production facility. Cardinal Farms Aquaculture will operate in a state-of-the-art, 11,650-square-foot building featuring a dozen 10,000-gallon fiberglass tanks with the capacity to raise more than 90,000 fish at a time.
Garwood is active in many community service efforts including the South Sioux City (Neb.) Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a founding member of Siouxland Ethanol and serves as secretary for its board of directors.