Get ready for some serious greenhouse expansion. Next year, Lebo Farms plans to start growing in a completely new 30 acre greenhouse in Leamington, Ontario. Ridder Group and its local Canadian partners Anchor Hydro, Zwart Systems and Acrobat have recently started work on the greenhouse project. The first 30 acres, designed and being built by South Essex Fabricating, are set to be completed by the end of 2020.
Neufeld family
Lebo Farms is a new producer of greenhouse vegetables, yet the company behind them is no newcomer to the industry. The company was founded by the Leamington-based Neufeld family, who are also the owners of the 34-acre cucumber greenhouse facility of Vine Fresh Acres. The Neufeld family now intend to expand their offerings with additional commodities under the Lebo Farms brand.
Intelligent technical components
After working with Ridder on the Vine Fresh Project, the Neufeld family once again chose Ridder as its main supplier for all intelligent technical components in the new project. All climate control, irrigation, labor registration, climate screen and drive systems are to be supplied by Ridder as one total integrated solution. Jamey Barnewall, Canadian Sales Manager at Ridder, is delighted to work with a selection of dedicated partners on the Lebo Farms project. “I'm excited for the opportunity to work with Anchor Hydro, Zwart Systems and Acrobat. As a group, we combine the essential resources in the right places, at the critical times.”
Ridder’s local partner Anchor Hydro will act as the main contractor and will be responsible for the successful installation of all water and electrical systems. The Amherstburg, Ontario-based electrical contractor will supply all climate control, irrigation and labour management systems at Lebo Farms. Among these solutions are the Ridder FertiMiX fertigation units, Ridder ProDrain irrigation and growth monitoring systems.
The control of the irrigation and recirculation technology will all be seamlessly integrated into the Ridder MultiMa process computer, which will also enable data-driven climate, energy and growth management at Lebo Farms. To provide Lebo Farms’ operational management team with maximum insight and control over worker productivity and quality, Anchor Hydro will also supply and install Ridder Productive labor management systems, including the latest wireless handheld technologies.
Greenhouse builder South Essex Fabricating recently broke ground on the first 30 out of 50 acres. They also integrated Ridder RW drive systems and Ridder RES 10 FR energy-saving screens into the design of the greenhouse. “This project is a great example of how we can supply all key components for a turn-key greenhouse project” said Barnewall. “The perfect synergy between all our essential solutions and the commitment of all partners involved will provide Lebo Farms with the best-fit growing solution for their project.”
For more information:
Ridder Group
Jamey Barnewall
j.barnewall@ridder.com
www.ridder.com