With a greenhouse area of 25 hectares, ambitious growth plans and a hybrid lighting installation, AppHarvest is one of the most striking horticultural projects at the moment to be realized in the USA. This is possible thanks to the contribution of several Dutch greenhouse horticulture suppliers who see opportunities to tackle these types of projects together.
Michael Ploeg and Jonathan Webb
Dalsem Complete Greenhouse Projects is the main contractor for this project. They will deliver this greenhouse turnkey. The absolute technical highlight of this greenhouse is the hybrid lighting. HPS and LED lamps hang side by side as top lighting. Michael Ploeg, Export Manager Dalsem, mentions the sustainable nature of LED: less energy input, the same light output, less heat production and above all higher production as the main reason for this choice. This greenhouse will be the largest with LED lighting in North America.
Dalsem is a Dutch company through and through. The partners with whom they will carry out this project are mainly from the Netherlands. In this project Dalsem collaborates with, among others, HortiPar, Signify and Agrolux.
The first construction meeting has already occurred. Dave Fennema, Technical Director Dalsem, flew last week to the construction site in Kentucky to join the meeting. Everything is on schedule and production is in full swing. The first 25/30 containers have arrived at the construction site. That number seems a lot, but is only a small part of the total number of 600 containers that are required. In the third week of September, the first shovel will go in the ground to start with the foundation.
Background
Michael Ploeg and Jonathan Webb (AppHarvest) have been working together for 2.5 years and have a great mutual respect and trust in each other. Michael: “Of course people look at our track record. That helps. In the past 87 years, we have been able to prove ourselves. We are a healthy and strong company. Moreover, we have experience in building large complex projects. That just suits us. Jonathan was looking for one partner, one point of contact, one greenhouse builder who takes responsibility for everything."
Michael: “Jonathan has organized everything well. Of course, he has familiarized himself with greenhouse horticulture, but ultimately he comes from outside the sector. In the meantime, he has become an experienced grower and is now ready to get started. He knows like no other how tomatoes and cucumbers should be grown. No unnecessary risks are taken. In addition, also the sales have been arranged. The food supply chain remains close to the market. Local for local, an important spearhead in Jonathan's vision."
Jonathan Webb strategically chose the location in Morehead, Kentucky for his AppHarvest to serve both the East and the West within a day's drive. Michael: "Moreover, this area has a lot of poverty and unemployment due to the disappearance of the coal mining industry. By offering new jobs and with Next Generation Growing, he hopes to reinvigorate Kentucky and to help people build a better life. I think that is very nice to be able to contribute to this with Dalsem.”
For more information: 
Dalsem Complete Greenhouse Projects
Michael Ploeg
[email protected]
+31 (0) 6 15315233
Woudseweg 9
2635 CG Den Hoorn
The Netherlands
+31 (0) 15 269 5800
www.dalsem.com