A branch of JEM Farms, HORTECA is a new two-acre research facility dedicated to showcasing the latest green technologies in joint ventures with ecoation, including advancements in integrated pest management (IPM) to robotics and AI. The partnership also involves the University of Windsor providing a multitude of research opportunities.
Located in Ruthven, Ontario, JEM Farms is a third-generation greenhouse operation specializing in cucumbers and tomatoes. Partner ecoation offers sophisticated forecasting software, allowing growers to simply and accurately track yield and IPM targets.
Valuing the important role that research and new technologies play in the greenhouse industry and sustainable agriculture, the JEM and ecoation teams have joined forces to construct HORTECA ― a North American Horticultural Technology Center and Academy designed to display the latest greenhouse technologies and foster advanced research and development projects.
"Across the two acres of HORTECA, we hope to demonstrate technology and conduct research that addresses pressing challenges that growers face today and those they may face in the future―like how to effectively grow residue-free produce and manage labor shortages," says Jamie Jr. Mastronardi, General Manager of JEM Farms.
On display and lighting, their research crops are also Sollum Technologies' fully dynamic LED lighting solution. "For HORTECA to meet its full potential, we need a lighting solution that is up to the task―one that has the versatility to fulfill the needs of a variety of research projects and that can itself demonstrate the latest developments in dynamic LED technology. This smart solution was the obvious choice for us."
