Van der Hoeven and Hortiplan unveil groundbreaking greenhouse project in Virginia, USA

Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects and Hortiplan, both strong brands of Arvesta, are proud to announce the completion of the Better Future Farms facility in Virginia, a revolutionary step towards sustainable agriculture. Covering an area of 5,5 hectares, this pioneering, semi-closed greenhouse for leafy greens is one of the most advanced in the world. The facility is fully automated, from seeding to packing. No human touches the lettuce before it reaches the supermarkets.

From Field to Future ​ ​
​This project is a significant undertaking in partnership with Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects, market leader in leafy greens semi-closed greenhouses and Hortiplan, a market leader in Mobile Gutter Systems (MGS). Both companies are part of Arvesta, the full-service partner for farmers and horticulturists. Arvesta places a strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and knowledge sharing. By combining expertise, these partners have developed the most advanced leafy greens-growing greenhouses in the world, using automated systems to optimise operations from seeding to harvesting.

"This project is a game-changer for sustainable agriculture," says Niek Depoorter, CEO of Arvesta. "Better Future Farms showcases the incredible potential of modern technology in farming and sets a new standard for environmental responsibility. We hope this inspires horticulturists and drives further advancements in food production."

A Step Towards a Sustainable Future

"We are proud to play a key role in advancing sustainable horticulture in the United States," said Bas Duijvestijn, Chief Commercial Officer of Van der Hoeven. "This state-of-the-art facility is a significant milestone and highlights our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that meet the demand for fresh, locally grown vegetables."

"With innovations such as automated seeding, transplanting, harvesting, climate control, processing and packaging, the facility sets a new standard in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). This approach ensures a year-round supply of fresh, high-quality leafy greens, meeting the increasing demand for fresh produce while minimising labour requirements. ", says Emanuel Marreel, Business Director for Hortiplan.

The construction of this ambitious project began in May 2023. Now, covering an area of 5,5 hectares, Better Future Farms stands as an example of innovative agriculture. Remarkably, this greenhouse uses about 90% less land and 87% less water than traditional lettuce growing techniques, thanks to advanced techniques such as precision farming techniques.

Synergies between Hortiplan and Van der Hoeven

Van der Hoeven played a key role in the design and construction of the greenhouse. Their extensive experience in horticultural projects ensured that the greenhouse was built to the highest standards of efficiency and sustainability. Their expertise in integrating advanced technologies into agricultural practices helped achieve the project's ambitious goals.

Hortiplan has contributed much to the development and implementation of advanced hydroponic systems. Their technology and automation solutions are crucial to maximise resource utilisation and minimise waste. Thanks to Hortiplan's systems, the greenhouse operates extremely efficiently, from sowing to packing, with no human contact with the crops before they reach the supermarket. This automation increases food safety and optimises the entire production process.

Fully automated from seed to packaged lettuce

The environmental benefits are also impressive. By reducing CO² emissions from fertiliser use by about 60%, this greenhouse project by Better Future Farms significantly lowers the carbon footprint compared to open-field farming. The greenhouse has year-round climate control. This ensures optimal growing conditions regardless of the weather outside. Moreover, rainwater collected from the greenhouse roof is reused for irrigation, reducing dependence on external water sources. With a daily production of over 3.500 kilo of fresh lettuce, the greenhouse ensures a constant supply of produce to meet market demand, with the first batch sold in July 2024.

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