"We want to build a more sustainable and efficient food production system"

For Haven Greens in Canada, Dutch greenhouse builder Havecon contributed to the construction of a particularly innovative project: A fully automated high-tech greenhouse that produces fresh, pesticide-free leafy greens. With this collaboration, both companies set a new standard for sustainable food production in North America.

© Havecon Kassenbouw

A new standard
The ambition was clear for Haven Greens in Ontario: due to the lack of fresh, high-quality vegetables available, to set a new standard for sustainable and high-tech food production close to home. As Canada's first fully automated greenhouse for leafy greens, it merges advanced technology together with a strong family vision. "We want to change the way people in Canada think about lettuce," says Jay Willmot, CEO of Haven Greens and Kinghaven Farms. "Most lettuce in Canada comes from the United States, is often grown using pesticides and transported over long distances. We want to demonstrate how fresh, clean, and pesticide-free lettuce can be grown locally, all year round, with technology that pushes the boundaries of the possible."

For Havecon, it offered the opportunity to demonstrate what close collaboration and technical craftsmanship can achieve, even across the Atlantic. "With this greenhouse, we are together setting the bar higher for sustainable food production in North America. It goes to show how Dutch innovation has global impact," says Henk Verbakel, Havecon's CEO.

Family heritage as fertile ground
The innovative spirit behind Haven Greens is deep-rooted within the Willmot family legacy. "The origins of our family business are tied with Kinghaven Farms, the horse breeding and training operation founded by my grandfather," explains Greg Willmot, VP People and Culture at Haven Greens. "Innovation was already part of it back then. We experimented with new training methods and feeding techniques and became one of North America's leading operations. Later, when we installed solar panels on our roofs," he continues, "we began to wonder what we would do with that sustainable energy once the contract with the power grid expired. That introspection ultimately led to the greenhouse that stands here today."

The family found itself at a crossroads at that time. While Jay and Greg saw new opportunities, the older generation wished to slow things down. "There was a moment when we even considered selling the farm," Greg says. "But thanks to the move towards high-tech horticulture, we were able to safeguard the family business and make it future proof. It's remarkable that this piece of land, to which we have such a strong emotional connection, is now providing food for Canadians."

Collaboration built on trust
With the choice for fully automated crops also came the need for a building partner with experience. "This project is very complex," denotes Jay Willmot. "We are working with several independent advanced systems which in the end must seamlessly operate together. Havecon's experience and expertise were essential. Without their accompaniment, the project would not have succeeded."

Entirely automated, from seed to harvest, no one touches the crops in the greenhouse. "Our lettuce is grown in a completely closed system and therefore simply stays clean and safe," explains Jay. "Nothing needs rinsing. The final product is clean, healthy and ready to eat. Now that is unique!"

Sustainability and innovation hand in hand
Haven Greens has the clear vision to become by 2030 Canada's greatest leafy greens producer. This future growth comes with sustainability. "We strive for sustainability in everything that we do," adds Jay. "We recirculate irrigation water, collect rainwater from the roofs, work with renewable energies, and use packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials. All our decisions are based on having the smallest ecological footprint."

© Havecon Kassenbouw

Moving mountains... literally
Construction of the greenhouse also came with its share of challenges. The terrain on which it was built was everything but flat. "Most greenhouse builders count on building on an open field," laughs Jay. "We were facing a hill. At first, people made light of it, but together with Havecon we literally moved mountains to make this project happen."

Looking forward
For Havecon, the project with Haven Greens is a powerful example of how international cooperation, family vision, and technological innovation can strengthen each other. "This greenhouse demonstrates what is possible to create when you work together with partners who are willing to renew themselves," indicates Jay. "We are proud of what we have built and even prouder that we can contribute to a more sustainable food system in Canada."

"This project shows that we can work with our Atrium Agri partners around the world to build a more sustainable and efficient food-production system, closer to the consumer. That is exactly the kind of future that Havecon is fully committed in creating," concludes Henk.