On April 3rd, GrowSpan Greenhouse Structures will formally launch its latest state-of-the-art Venlo greenhouse facility at Grospan's Iowa campus, a project years in the making. "This greenhouse is a testament to cutting-edge technology and engineering – it has been a labor of love, with no expense spared," says Will Hopkins, business development manager at GrowSpan. "Developed with GrowSpan's top-tier HVAC and agricultural technology experts. This greenhouse won't only showcase our expertise in practice, but it will also actually produce a variety of crops."
What's in the Venlo greenhouse?
GrowSpan has been building Venlo greenhouses for over seven years, but this particular project began its research and design phase five years ago, with construction starting over one year ago. The result is a highly sophisticated facility featuring three independently controlled environments optimized for different crop types: one for leafy greens, another for strawberries, and a third dedicated to tomatoes. "This precision allows for tailored climate control, ensuring optimal growth conditions for each crop," Will points out.
With this project, GrowSpan wants to show growers all the horti knowledge the company has gained over years active in the industry. Spanning 25,000 square feet of dedicated growing space, the entire greenhouse complex covers approximately one acre. The facility is not only a research and development hub but also an active producer, with surplus yields being distributed locally, including to restaurants and employees.
Showcases expertise in greenhouse design
The structure showcases a unique powder-coated galvanized steel structure, which has significantly reduced ambient temperatures within the growing area, according to Will. "This design innovation enhances energy efficiency and contributes to improved crop yields." Steel was indeed one of the main things the company wanted to address, being it quite a costly resource. "One the main goals was to use the appropriate amount of steel, without overkilling it to not drive the cost up. The greenhouse is really dialed in to use the perfect amount of steel. To achieve that, we have used a very high-end design software." This was not an easy feat to accomplish, considering they had to take into consideration the roof needed to be strong enough to withstand heavy snow loads.
Each environment leverages natural sunlight when possible, supplemented by shade curtains, evaporative cooling, and wet walls for temperature management. The leafy greens are cultivated using a hydroponic floating raft system, while the strawberries are grown in Jiffy's Finesse Growbags with 50% coco pith and 50% husk chip. The tomatoes, on the other hand, are grown in Grodan Vital Slabs designed to optimize growth and yield. "This is ultimately an R&D greenhouse, so we wanted enough flexibility to switch crops if necessary."
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To keep pests at bay, GrowSpan has opted for biological IPM. "We do not use any chemical pesticides," says Will. "Biological control is most effective when you can get a healthy population of good bugs in your growing area before the pests become a problem. Being proactive rather than reactive is key. The type of good bug varies greatly on what pests are present, which crop they are on, and population size of the pest."
Ribbon-cutting ceremony
To celebrate the opening of the Venlo greenhouse, GrowSpan is hosting a grand opening event open to the community. "Attendees will include industry professionals, retail garden representatives, large-scale CEA operators, and cannabis industry stakeholders," Will remarks. Once the ribbon-cutting ceremony is done, GrowSpan will be busy prepping for its first summer in operation, eager to assess the greenhouse's performance under warm-weather conditions.
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For more information:
GrowSpan Greenhouse Structures
1395 John Fitch Blvd
South Windsor, Connecticut 06074
Toll-free USA: (800) 476 9715
International: +1 860 528 9550
info@growspan.com
www.growspan.com