This interview details Green Lion Farms, an indoor farming company based in Canada. The interview is with Mark van Deurson, Founder of Green Lion Farms.
What is the origin story of Green Lion Farms?
Greenlion Farms is a family run farm, owned and operated by Mark and Lesley van Deursen located in Armstrong, BC in Canada.
We were passionate about starting a program where local, sustainable, chemical free practices could be provided to our province and country with year-round produce. After looking at different options we decided to use an automated, environment-controlled systems build by Cubic farms to grow varieties of leafy greens and microgreens that are grown 365 days a year.
Ultimately, we are most passionate about demonstrating and modelling to our young children that change is possible. Food security and education for a healthier today and tomorrow are issues that need immediate attention, and we are dedicated to contributing positively toward those causes in any way we can.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing Green Lion Farms in the future?
Our biggest challenge for the future would be getting public awareness that there is local produce grown year-round in the area and that we are in fact a local farmer. Also, now that a Cubic Farms system no longer is available, we will have to look at different growing concepts and technologies for future expansion.
How do you measure the impact of your company so far? (Revenue, Employees, Customer Quantity, Production Volume) etc?
We had some troubles in the beginning with the system itself, but now that we have made the necessary changes it seems to work very well. We’ve teamed up with a company called Vertical Choice, a local distributor, to help brand our product to food service clients and grocery store chains.
What have you learned that you wish you knew when you started the company?
There are a lot of innovative concepts out there now, but the biggest challenge for us would be finding a company that has real-life data and a concept that has been proven in a commercial setting. There has been a lot of investment in the vertical farming technology, but current models are still very young and vulnerable without proven long term success.
How can people connect with you or learn more about Green Lion Farms?
Visiting our website, www.greenlionfarms.ca, or following us on social media is the easiest way to stay up to date with what we offer and the progress of our farm.
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