Construction work amidst Canada's beautifull fall colors

In recent weeks, a lot of work has been done to bring the soil of the construction site of Kinghaven Farms up to the proper elevation. Once the project is finished, the greenhouse facility is to supply Toronto and its surroundings with locally grown lettuce.

"We have some vertical farms and some limited greenhouse facilities growing leafy greens in Ontario, but the market is dramatically underserved," Jay Wilmot, the president at Kinghaven Farms shared last year when announcing the project. "The most affordable consumer option is lettuce from California, Arizona, and Mexico. Bringing a fresher, better-tasting, non-GMO product, grown pesticide-free, in a more sustainable way, at a stable, affordable price - that's what we want to do."

Construction started this fall, and the construction site has seen progress in recent weeks, with a focus on adjusting the soil elevation to meet project requirements. Initial preparations, including the delivery of foundation and rainwater discharge materials, have been completed. The total facility will be covering an area of 2.3 hectares.

The steel necessary for the greenhouse structure is currently in transit. The next steps involve the finalization of the foundation and rainwater discharge work, with steel construction set to begin in the upcoming year.

Energy sustainability is a key aspect of the project, with plans for a 3 MWp solar PV facility to coexist with the greenhouse. This renewable energy integration, along with technologies like battery storage and combined heat and power generators, aligns with Kinghaven Farms' commitment to environmental ideals. The team is assured the proximity to transportation hubs makes it feasible to attract skilled talent for various roles.

The facility's design includes innovative features such as roof heating pipes for snow melting, rainwater utilization, and a fully automated mobile gulley system, contributing to a facility that requires a relatively small workforce. The fully automated indoor farming facility will enable the growth of lettuce heads in 24 days.

The project is realized in collaboration with Atrium Agri partners SCRE3NS, VB, PB tec, and Voorwinden Group.