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GoodLeaf partners with Adastra for data-driven boost in yields

GoodLeaf Farms is partnering with Adastra and other stakeholders to develop a data-rich platform with the goal of boosting 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. “Data science and technology are the next step, enabling GoodLeaf to continue to be a leader in pushing innovation in agriculture.”

GoodLeaf’s controlled-environment indoor vertical farm operates in Canada year-round.  The plants are grown in hydroponics systems with traditional ebb-and-flow irrigation to feed nutrient-rich water to the plants, and LED lights engineered to emulate the red and blue wavelengths of the light spectrum to mimic the spring sun — ideal conditions for plants to maximize photosynthesis.

Founded in Halifax, N.S. in 2011, GoodLeaf opened their first commercial production facility in Guelph, Ont. in 2019 then announced their expansion into Calgary, Alta by the end of this year.

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 centres, academia and start-ups that funds collaborative projects and provides expert advice to help Canada stay ahead of the AI curve.