Finland: Vertical system results in better quality for Robbe's Little Garden

Currently, I’ve been working for more than 2.5 months at Robbe's Little Garden in Finland. This is a company that produces lettuce, herbs and micro-vegetables. At Robbe's, I am responsible for an optimization project of the vertical cultivation system with LED lighting, taking into account the plant quality and the possible cost (components) thereof. Also, the environmentally conscious director, Robert Jordas, would like to produce organically and tests are being carried out for this purpose. Robert is also very social because he has a good understanding with his staff and gives them responsibility for certain activities.

The data that eventually will be collected, can in the future be used by the company for the new construction of a larger 'vertical system'. The current system of 500 m2 cultivation area must, besides its commercial use, also be used as a start-up for the new facility. What is very interesting is the fact that many different factors play a role. Therefore there is a lot of freedom for variations with these, of course the company likes to expect output. At first sight, you would not expect a company in Finland to make the square meters more sustainable, because these are relatively the cheapest in Europe. But nothing is less true: Robbe's can guarantee a better product quality and has a higher turnover rate using this alternative cultivation method.

Finally I have, in the meantime, been allowed to taste a lot of Finnish culture. It is a very calm country and there are not so many people living here. Nature is also very beautiful. Unfortunately, my trainee period is almost over, so it's a matter of completing the project and just enjoying my time here before returning to the warmer Netherlands.

Greetings from Finland !!