Premier Danielle Smith addresses attendees inside the Big Marble Greenhouse on Tuesday.--News Photo Anna Smith
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The government of Alberta is investing $2.2 million with Big Marble Farms to help increase productivity with new and improved grow lights.
Home to more than 496,000 cucumber plants and 385,000 tomato plants, Big Marble Farms is looking to increase their output without increasing their footprint, thanks to the installation of new LED grow lights. Trials have shown a 15% increase in production with the 50% increase in light.
“It’s been a great honour to advocate on behalf of this innovative undertaking by Big Marble Farms. Everyone here knows that Cypress-Medicine Hat is a hotbed of innovation. We are aware, we are always looking for ways to do things better, bigger and faster. Big Marble Farms is a great example of what makes this region special,” said MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat Justin Wright.
He says this is the kind of development that creates jobs and promotes growth within the region.
The project, overall, will cost roughly $5 million, with the remaining $3 million coming from Big Marble to foster the brighter future for the greenhouse and communities that rely on them for year-round produce.
Premier Danielle Smith says she recognizes that high energy costs can put a strain on greenhouse operations, which is why they are working through Emissions Reductions Canada to help producers improve yields while also reducing the overall impact on the environment. This, alongside similar projects, showcases how the province remains at the forefront of agricultural technology, says Smith.
“This family run greenhouse has been growing fresh vegetables for Albertans all year round for over three decades,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “You support jobs, feed our communities and keep our economy growing and strong. You’re a leader in sustainable farming of the sweetest pepper varieties in Canada, and today we’re celebrating another big step forward.”
At Big Marble Farms, as early as September, the plants begin experiencing longer days until the grow lights, to try to compensate for the comparatively weak light source compared to the southern Alberta sunshine. Some of the plants receive up to 20 hours of light a day, said Ryan Cramer, chief executive officer of Big Marble Farms.
“This funding is helping us to take a big step forward,” said Cramer. “In one quarter of our growing area, we’re replacing every second high pressure sodium light with a new LED fixture that puts out nearly twice the light of the ones that they’re replacing with the same electricity input. That means more food with the same footprint.”
“This is a sustainability success story,” said Cramer. “Thank you to Emissions Reduction Alberta, the Strategic Energy Management for Industry Program and the Government of Alberta for making this possible. Together, we’re building a brighter, stronger and more sustainable future, and we’re living out our promise of always growing.”
