GoodLeaf Farms is partnering with Adastra and other stakeholders to develop a data-rich platform that will boost the amount of microgreens and baby greens harvested at its climate-controlled indoor farming operation.
The $2.5-million project — which includes a $1-million investment from Scale AI —will enable GoodLeaf and Adastra to jointly develop a smart platform that captures operational growth measurements and image-based data, which will be used to optimize yield and crop quality.
“Innovation and technology are at the heart of vertical farming, and we are always looking to take the next step that will help us grow more and better food,” says Barry Murchie, Chief Executive Officer of GoodLeaf Farms.
Adastra, a data and analytics firm that provides smart artificial intelligence, big data, cloud, digital, and governance services and solutions, will help GoodLeaf develop and implement a process to measure the best growing conditions for each plant, ensuring better quality plants, and more to be harvested in each growing cycle.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Goodleaf Farms, Canada’s leader in vertical farming, and be having a tangible impact on the farming ecosystem, consumers, retailers, and our project partners,” says Darren Edery, Chief Executive Officer of Adastra North America. “Upstream partners will benefit from the information generated by this project and be able to develop improved substrates and seeds for vertical farming.”
Other partners in the project include the University of Guelph, SunGro, and Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Scale AI is Canada’s AI supercluster, a consortium of private entities, research centers, academia, and start-ups that funds collaborative projects and provides expert advice to help Canada stay ahead of the AI curve.
For more information:
GoodLeaf Farms
www.goodleaffarms.com
Adastra
www.adastracorp.com