Four Different Approaches to Growing Greens in CEA
December 19, 2024 Over the last year, we’ve spoken with several companies that grow controlled environment agriculture (CEA) herbs and leafy greens. While these companies may cultivate the same kinds of crops, their methods of production vary greatly. Here are four different operations that are growing greens in CEA on a large scale.
Ben Sword in Greenswell Growers’ 1.5-acre greenhouse operation. | Photo: Ben Sword
Greenswell Growers
Established in 2022, Greenswell Growers became a household name in the CEA industry in just two years. A hydroponic greenhouse operation in Goochland County, Virginia, the company grows lettuce in its 1.5-acre facility with help from an automated harvesting system. According to Grower Ben Sword, this helps the company boost ROI while avoiding food contamination.
“With this equipment, anything that was growing on the leaves would be killed without washing the product,” he said. “You wouldn’t damage the product, mouthfeel, or shelf life. None of that would be affected except for the lives of those pesky little bacteria and fungi.”
Learn more about Greenswell Growers and how they use ag tech here.
Duncan Family Farms is an open-field producer that uses protected cropping systems. | Photo: Duncan Family Farms
Duncan Family Farms
When we reached out Duncan Family Farms in Goodyear, Arizona, for our December edition of CEAg World Insights, they shared their experience growing leafy greens outdoors under cover. By using protected cropping systems, the company can extend their growing season in both Arizona and Oregon.
“We will continue to incorporate additional acreage of covered agriculture in both Arizona and Oregon,” she said. “For Arizona, we are primarily focused on additional space to support our organic culinary herb and organic microgreens programs. The structures in Oregon will allow us to plant earlier to extend our season in the region.”
Get more intel on outdoor protected crops by reading our most recent edition of CEAg World Insights.
Traders Hill Farm is in aquaponics grower in Hilliard, Florida. | Photo: Traders Hill Farm
Traders Hill Farm
We’ve spoken with aquaponics grower Traders Hill Farm (THF) in Hilliard, Florida, twice to get their outlook on ag tech and the future of aquaponics in CEA. Both times we talked to Tracy Nazzaro, general manager and president of THF, she emphasized how fish haven’t been a significant source of revenue for her operation… Leafy greens have made THF profitable.
“Aquaponics is very tough to scale commercially, in particular for growers who want to specialize in crops outside of the lettuce and herb verticals,” she said. “The notion that fish will be a significant revenue source has not held true for me, and operators who insist on a 50/50 model of fish and plants will be disappointed. For the CEA industry as a whole to grow more, cash infusion is required both for investment in capital assets and operating capital. The conventional agriculture industry requires significant volume to get to profitability and CEA is the same. Additional assets are required so producers can grow volume.”
Get more ag tech tips from Traders Hill farm here.
Eddy Badrina, CEO of Eden Green Technology, explained how CEA herbs have a lot of potential in the vertical farming sector. | Photo: Eden Green Technology
Eden Green Technology
Eden Green Technology, a hybrid vertical farm headquartered in Cleburne, Texas, emphasized how herbs have a lot of potential in the vertical farming sector. While the company has mainly grown lettuce and salad greens, they broke into the herb market earlier this year. In fact, CEO Eddy Badrina explained how Eden Green launched a first-of-its-kind specialty herb program to capitalize on its fast and efficient distribution system.
“Our streamlined distribution system provides retailers with a full suite of 10+ herbs that can go from greenhouse onto grocery store shelves in as little as 48 hours,” he said. “Not only does this simplify logistics, reduce waste, and maximize the product’s shelf life, but it also results in 85% fewer food miles compared to traditional farming. Eden Green’s herb program is just one example illustrating the significance of CEA solutions. Retailers are looking to streamline and localize their logistics, and indoor farming provides an opportunity to do so.”
Want to learn more about hybrid vertical farms? Get more insight here.
Learn More About Growing Greens in CEA
Are you growing greens in your CEA operation? Tell us more about your experience and methods of production in the comments below.