Kinghaven Farms groundworks in full swing

Added on 27 November 2023

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Kinghaven Farms groundworks in full swing

Photo: Havecon

Over the past few weeks, significant progress has been made to bring the soil of the construction site of Kinghaven Farms in King City, Ontario, Canada up to proper elevation. Upon completion of the project, the greenhouse facility aims to provide Toronto and its surrounding areas with locally grown lettuce.

This year when announcing the project, Jay Willmot, the president of Kinghaven Farms, expressed that Ontario has a few vertical farms and limited greenhouse facilities that grow leafy greens. However, he noted that the market for these products is significantly underserved. Willmot emphasized the need for a more accessible and affordable option for consumers, as the current choice is primarily lettuce from California, Arizona, and Mexico. Kinghaven Farms' goal is to provide a fresher, higher-quality, non-GMO, pesticide-free product in a sustainable manner, ensuring a stable and affordable price for customers.

The construction of the project began in the autumn, and there has been progress at the construction site in recent weeks. The main focus has been on adjusting the soil elevation to meet the specific requirements of the project. Initial preparations, such as the delivery of foundation materials and rainwater discharge systems, have been carried out. The overall facility will be covering an area of 2.3 hectares.

The steel necessary for the greenhouse structure is in transit. The upcoming tasks involve completing the foundation and rainwater discharge work, with the steel construction scheduled to start at the beginning of the year.

Energy sustainability is a key aspect of the project, with plans for a 3 MWp solar PV facility to coexist with the greenhouse. This renewable energy integration, along with technologies like battery storage and combined heat and power generators, aligns with Kinghaven Farms' commitment to environmental ideals. The team is assured the proximity to transportation hubs makes it feasible to attract skilled talent for various roles.