Sunterra Greenhouse: Pioneering Year-Round Produce Production in Acme, Alberta
Sunterra Greenhouse represents a groundbreaking agricultural venture in Acme, Alberta, combining cutting-edge technology with sustainable farming practices to provide locally grown produce throughout the year. This comprehensive analysis examines the development, operations, and impact of this innovative facility that is transforming food production in Alberta's challenging climate.
History and Development
Sunterra Greenhouse is the latest addition to the Sunterra Group, a family-owned business with deep roots in Alberta agriculture dating back to 1970. The Price family, who have been farming in the Acme area for generations, spent approximately ten years researching and planning before establishing the greenhouse. After extensive global travel to study different varieties and greenhouse operations, they decided to focus on growing strawberries and tomatoes to address a significant market gap in Alberta5.
The greenhouse was founded in 20211 and remarkably transitioned from groundbreaking to operational status in approximately one year5. Located at 255044, AB-575 in Acme, Alberta, the facility was strategically positioned near existing Sunterra operations, including Sunterra Farms Head Office and Soleterra d'Italia processing plants, creating what Ray Price, president of Sunterra Group, describes as "a cluster of activity that is really agriculture oriented".
Facility and Production
Size and Crops
The current Sunterra Greenhouse facility encompasses 20 acres, with 17.5 acres dedicated to tomatoes and 2.5 acres to strawberries5. The tomato production includes beefsteak, on-the-vine, and grape varieties, while the strawberry range features two northern European varieties: Delisimo and Soraya, marketed under the brand name "Duchess"5.
Technology and Operations
Sunterra Greenhouse employs state-of-the-art technology to create a controlled microenvironment that optimizes growing conditions year-round, even during Alberta's harsh winters. The facility is operated through a system called Priva, which acts as the greenhouse's "brain" by continuously monitoring and adjusting parameters such as humidity, temperature, and irrigation to maintain optimal growing conditions5.
The facility features innovative lighting solutions to supplement Alberta's abundant natural sunlight. In partnership with Signify, Sunterra installed Philips GreenPower LED lighting in 2021. The strawberry production area utilizes 100% LED lighting with over 1,000 Philips toplighting compact modules and almost 900 flowering lamps, while the tomato range employs a hybrid solution of more than 4,000 toplighting compact modules combined with HPS (High-Pressure Sodium) lighting.
The harvesting process blends traditional methods with automation. All produce is hand-harvested, but the process is supported by automated harvest carts that drive themselves through the greenhouse ranges. These carts, controlled by the Priva system, operate on induction lines and transport harvested produce to the pack line, offload boxes, and return to reload for the next harvesting cycle5.
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Sunterra Greenhouse has implemented numerous sustainability initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint while maximizing production efficiency. The facility's design capitalizes on Alberta's abundant sunshine, with specially engineered glass ceilings that optimize natural light diffusion throughout the greenhouse5.
Water conservation is a key priority, with the greenhouse using approximately 10 times less water than traditional farming methods. All water used in the facility is recaptured, UV-treated, and recirculated, ensuring minimal waste5. The greenhouse also employs an integrated pest management system that utilizes bumblebees for pollination and beneficial insects to control harmful pests, reducing the need for chemical interventions5.
Carbon dioxide emissions are carefully managed, with CO2 from the boiler system being captured and redirected through plastic tubes throughout the greenhouse to feed the plants and enhance photosynthesis rather than being released into the atmosphere5.
Market Impact and Food Security
Sunterra Greenhouse addresses significant gaps in Alberta's food supply chain. Prior to its establishment, approximately 95% of tomatoes and 98% of strawberries consumed in Alberta were imported5. The greenhouse's year-round production capability enhances food security, particularly during winter months when imported produce quality can be inconsistent2.
A key advantage of Sunterra's approach is that their produce is allowed to fully ripen on the plant before harvesting, unlike imported alternatives that are typically picked 7-10 days early when only about 70% ripe2. This results in superior flavor, freshness, and nutritional value. The facility's "vine-to-market in 24 hours" approach ensures consumers receive exceptionally fresh produce8.
Distribution channels include Sunterra Market grocery stores, which receive approximately 10% of the greenhouse's production, with the remainder supplied to farmers markets and national grocery chains throughout Alberta2.
Research and Innovation
Sunterra Greenhouse actively participates in research to advance indoor growing techniques in Alberta. The company has partnered with Lethbridge College in a project funded by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR), which committed $783,205 to optimize growing conditions for pre-commercial and commercial-scale production of strawberries and tomatoes911.
This research collaboration aims to improve greenhouse yields in Alberta and demonstrate production practices that could help grow the province's greenhouse sector9. The project builds on recent growth in Alberta's greenhouse industry, which saw sales increase from $55.7 million in 2016 to $118.8 million in 202029.
The head grower at Sunterra Greenhouse, Gabriel Forero, continues to explore innovative controlled environment techniques to overcome Alberta's climate challenges. Despite having above 220 µmol of supplemental lights for both crops, the facility still relies on natural sunlight to prevent ice accumulation on the roofs and ensure proper ventilation, which is crucial for keeping crops active, strong, and productive7.
Economic and Employment Impact
Ray Price envisions that when the greenhouse is fully developed, the combined operations in the area will employ close to 350 people, creating a robust agricultural cluster that may attract additional value-added enterprises to the region.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite its technological advantages, Sunterra Greenhouse faces several challenges. Operating in Alberta's extreme climate, where temperatures can plummet to -30°C (or -45°C with wind chill), requires sophisticated climate control systems including boilers, four levels of heating pipes, hybrid lights, and energy screens to maintain consistent growing conditions7.
Energy costs represent another significant challenge, particularly during winter months when prices typically rise due to increased demand. The greenhouse is exploring cost-cutting measures such as co-generation using natural gas or agricultural waste2.
Looking ahead, Sunterra Greenhouse is well-positioned to capitalize on growing consumer preferences for locally produced food. Alberta's abundant sunshine, available land, and typically lower energy costs compared to other Canadian provinces provide competitive advantages that may help overcome traditional barriers to greenhouse development in the region2.
Conclusion
Sunterra Greenhouse represents a significant innovation in Alberta's agricultural landscape, combining advanced technology with sustainable practices to produce high-quality, locally grown produce year-round. By addressing gaps in the provincial food supply chain and enhancing food security, particularly during winter months, the facility demonstrates how controlled environment agriculture can thrive even in challenging climates.
The greenhouse's focus on sustainability, from water recirculation to integrated pest management and CO2 capture, aligns with growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible food production. Meanwhile, its research partnerships and expansion plans suggest a promising future for greenhouse agriculture in Alberta.
As Sunterra Greenhouse continues to develop and refine its operations, it stands as a model for how technological innovation, family farming traditions, and sustainable practices can converge to create a resilient, locally-focused food production system capable of thriving in Alberta's challenging climate while providing economic benefits to rural communities.
Citations:
- https://www.sunterramarket.com/Vendors/View/83
- https://ca.linkedin.com/company/sunterra-greenhouse
- https://www.producer.com/news/sunterra-sold-on-greenhouses/
- https://www.sunterramarket.com/AboutUs/GreenHouse
- https://www.sunterragreenhouse.com/our-greenhouse
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pRcwGJz3KQ
- https://www.lighting.philips.ca/application-areas/specialist-applications/horticulture/press-releases/2023/sunterra-greenhouse-grows-strawberries-and-tomatoes-through-winter
- https://indoor.ag/sunterra-greenhouse-q-and-a/
- https://www.sunterragreenhouse.com
- https://rdar.ca/latest/press-releases/rdar-commits-783k-to-grow-alberta-s-burgeoning-agtech-sector-with-sunterra-greenhouse-and-lethbridge-college
- https://www.sunterramarket.com
- https://lethpolytech.ca/news-and-events/sunterra-greenhouse-lethbridge-college-researchers-make-discoveries-support
- https://www.sunterrafarms.ca
- https://www.instagram.com/sunterragreenhouse/
- https://www.sunterrafarms.ca/contactus
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