How Four Farms Effectively Use Tech and AI
October 10, 2024 Technology is a significant part of the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry, and every facility incorporates it into their operation differently. In recent months, CEAg World has spoken with representatives from several CEA companies who all use ag tech and artificial intelligence (AI) in various ways. From monitoring crop growth to automating operations, from high tech to low tech, here’s how four companies use technology and AI to make production more efficient.
Greenhouse at Bushel Boy Farms | Photo: Bushel Boy Farms
Bushel Boy Farms
Since its inception in 1990, Bushel Boy Farms in Owatonna, Minnesota has become a complex greenhouse operation. They’ve increased their crop varieties, opened a greenhouse in Iowa, and started using AI to streamline production. The company primarily uses AI to make the jobs of grower more enjoyable, and to them, that starts with the tedious job of registering data about crops.
“If you talk to a greenhouse grower and ask them about their least favorite part of the job, it’s usually crop registration,” said Roberto Ramirez, vice president of greenhouse operations at Bushel Boy Farms. “So that was a good place to start: going after the ‘dirty’ stuff people don’t want to do so they have a more enjoyable job is key.”
To learn more about Bushel Boy Farms and how they use LUNA AI, click here.
Better Future Farms
For Better Future Farms (BFF) in Louisa County, Virginia, using advanced automated technology is critical for competing with farms that grow field-grown lettuce. In September 2024, the company opened a new facility with advanced automated technology. BFF Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer John McMahon didn’t disclose many details when he spoke with CEAg World about the new farm in June, but he shared the in-depth process involved vetting tech for the new facility.
“At this point, it is probably the most advanced lettuce greenhouse I’m aware of, which is cool,” he said. “But ultimately, we’ve got to grow lettuce. It’s a tool, a sophisticated tool. It’s our job to leverage that tool to make us as competitive as possible with field-grown lettuce.”
For a complete overview of Better Future Farms’ take on tech, click here.
Soli Organic’s New Farm in San Antonio | Photo: Soli Organic
Soli Organic
In June 2024, Soli Organic opened its most advanced facility yet in San Antonio, Texas. By pairing its experience in field, greenhouse, and indoor production with ag tech, the company feels confident it has created the optimal production system for leafy greens and culinary herbs. Equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and on-site packaging operations, this new farm yielded exciting results early on.
“Growing in soil allows us to deliver just the right amount of water so that the plants are ‘stressed’ the right way, so that they put their energy into growing the leaf canopy as opposed to growing more roots. That translates to higher weights and better efficiency of the plant growth,” said CEO Matt Ryan.
Learn more about Soli Organic’s facility in San Antonio here.
Bosch Berries
Once they found a suitable location to grow strawberries, Netherlands-based Bosch Growers expanded into the U.S. in the fall of 2023. The company settled on a 30-acre greenhouse in Kentucky, which they retrofitted for optimal strawberry production. Considering the greenhouse was once used for growing both strawberries and cucumbers, compromises had to be made.
“We see that growing cucumbers and strawberry, you need to compromise,” said Wouter van den Bosch. “It’s a constant compromise between two crops. The result of that compromise is that you’re not optimally growing cucumbers or optimally growing strawberries.”
As a result, the team removed everything cucumber-related as part of the massive strawberry retrofit.
Want to learn more about Bosch Growers’ expansion into the U.S.? Get the full story here.
Using Tech and AI Efficiently
There’s no “right way” to use technology and AI in a CEA facility. As shown by the companies above, business owners must match the right technology to the needs of their operation to optimize production – and that looks different from one company to the next.