CALEDONIA, Mich. — A West Michigan greenhouse that grows lettuce year-round has plans to expand in 2021.
Revolution Farms, tucked away in Caledonia, is currently growing varieties of leafy greens in a 50,000 square-foot state of the art greenhouse.
Tam Serage the head farmer at Revolution Farms says by next year they will add an additional two acres to the greenhouse to grow even more lettuce in Michigan.
"We will have the potential to go over, triple, our output," said Serage. "It'll be an automated system with machine planting, machine harvesting. So, there's even less potential there for contamination."
Revolution Farms is unique to Michigan because they can grow leafy green produce throughout the year and various climates.
By blending technology and biology, supply chain and advances agriculture, Revolution Farms has created an environment to grow lettuce in any climate.
In addition to the controlled environment, the greenhouse farmers use hydroponic techniques to grow their produce.
"We have eight large pools of water about 30,000 gallons and it's a nutrient solution that the lettuce grows in. We give extra light as needed. So on a sunny day, it'll get less light as opposed to a cloudy day. So typically, you'll run the lights if it's cloudy about 18 hours," said Serage.
In addition to controlling the light, Revolution Farms can adjust the temperature, wind, shade, humidity, and carbon dioxide. Allowing Revolution Farms to produce some of the freshest greens sold in Michigan grocery stores.
"We recirculate water. So, our water uses minimal, or like over 90 percent less water usage than a typical farm," said Serage. "Less food miles to the to the consumer. Less fuel costs as far as shipping, and as a fresher product. As opposed to coming from California which could be seven days old by time even gets here."
For more on Revolutions Farms, click here.
