High in the mountains of Wyoming, where temperatures swing from -40°F in the winter and rise above 90°F in the summer, Silver Stream Farm produces fresh crops year-round, proving what's possible with the right mix of vision, resilience, and automation.
Founded in 2022, the farm sits just shy of 8,000 feet above sea level and operates within a 25,000-square-foot greenhouse, divided into five climate zones. "We're pioneering controlled environment agriculture in this type of climate," says Cooper Shelton, automation and systems manager
© Gebr. Hoogendoorn B.V.
With no prior experience in horticulture or greenhouse systems, Cooper left a career in hospitality to take on the challenges of growing in one of the harshest regions in the continental United States. He now leads a small team producing everything from leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables to berries – including strawberries - and even tropical fruits all under one roof.
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The vision behind Silver Stream came from Dakin Sloss who saw the need for sustainable local food in a region where fresh produce is scarce. With a background in technology, he set out to build a fully automated, data-driven greenhouse that could serve remote communities and provide consistent harvests year-round.
Facing extreme climate challenges
Maintaining stable humidity and crop-specific conditions in a high-desert climate is no easy task, which is why the Silver Stream team chose Hoogendoorn's IIVO system from the very beginning as the core of their climate control strategy.
"Now that I understand it, I'm constantly blown away by how much it can do for us," Cooper shared.
Powered by real-time data, predictive controls, and intelligent automation, IIVO enables Cooper to fine-tune environmental conditions across all five zones — adapting to both scorching summer days and freezing winters.
Key features like storm protection and automated crop treatments have been essential. "All the safety mechanisms like the storm controls are super important. We get really crazy snowstorms and high winds. It would literally destroy our greenhouse if this was not a feature."
He added: "Every new thing that we've implemented has been a huge leap for our operation."
© Gebr. Hoogendoorn B.V.Cooper Shelton
Hands on learning
Despite starting from scratch, Cooper has grown into a confident IIVO user, thanks in large part to Hoogendoorn's ongoing support.
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"Not having any experience in this, the customer service has been everything for us," Cooper says. "Even when our regular support person isn't available, I can always reach someone who knows the system and is ready to help. It's always a super friendly and helpful experience."
Fresh produce, delivered subscription-style
Silver Stream Farm also stands out for its direct-to-consumer subscription model. Locals sign up to receive weekly boxes — from tomatoes and herbs to berries and melons.
What began as an experiment quickly gained traction through word of mouth, local deliveries, and community dinners.
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"People would stop and knock on the door like, 'What are you guys doing in here?' They didn't think it was going to work," Cooper laughs. "Now my phone hasn't stopped ringing for three years."
From a cold start to a five-zone operation in under three years, Silver Stream Farms has come a long way. Now, the focus is on optimization, getting the most out of their crops and their automation tools.
"We went from zero to five different climates in less than three years… Now I'm hoping we can just pump the brakes a little and really focus on making full use of everything IIVO has to offer," Cooper says.
Silver Stream's story is a powerful example of how innovation, data, and determination can thrive — even in the most unlikely places.
Hoogendoorn Growth Management[email protected]
www.hoogendoorn.com
