An indoor farm in Dryden is receiving half a million provincial dollars to expand its production with a brand-new, state-of-the-art greenhouse.
On Aug. 12, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. (NOHFC) announced it’s providing AgriTech North with $500,000 for two projects related to the 2,400-square-foot greenhouse, which is currently under construction.
Half the money — $250,000 — will go to the development of a thin, multi-layer greenhouse envelope, which is expected to “provide optimal plant growth conditions.”
Another $250,000 will help AgriTech North develop a new, non-refrigerant-based heating system for the greenhouse.
“With the generous funding from the NOHFC, AgriTech North will be able to pursue industry-disruptive technologies that show promise for achieving net-zero, energy-independent, year-round growing in rural and remote communities throughout Northern Ontario,” Benjamin Feagin, AgriTech’s CEO, said in a government news release.
“The two successful applications will develop and protect our innovations in non-refrigerant-oriented thermal fluid climate control and a novel greenhouse envelope.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to work with NOHFC on leveraging these technologies to end food insecurity for our rural and remote communities.”
Launched in 2022, AgriTech North grows a variety of leafy greens in its climate-controlled, warehouse-style facility formerly owned by the City of Dryden. Billing itself as a zero-food-waste operation, the indoor farm delivers its products via subscription box to communities in the northwest.
It’s additionally conducts research and development into new growing processes and technologies.
Central to AgriTech’s mandate is the goal of reducing the cost of fresh produce in Far North communities by 25 per cent, and increasing availability in communities year-round.
The company has received a number of accolades for its efforts, including an Excellence in Agriculture Award from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (2023); the Innovative Project of the Year Award from the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (2022); and the Business of the Year Award from the Dryden Chamber of Commerce (2022).
AgriTech North was also the inaugural winner of the reality show competition Bear’s Lair in 2022.
