ROCKINGHAM, VA - As trade news writers, we are fortunate enough to observe the countless growth initiatives undertaken by industry operators. Production practices are one aspect of the supply chain not to be overlooked, and Shenandoah Growers is one purveyor ensuring that innovation continues. As such, the grower was recently awarded Sunless Production System of the Year in the 2021 AgTech Breakthrough Awards.
"At Shenandoah Growers, we're humbled to receive this award from AgTech Breakthrough as a recognition of our deep commitment to our 'biology first, technology to scale' philosophy," said Ulf Jönsson, Shenandoah Growers' Chief Technology Officer. "Our LED-powered indoor bioponic growing platform increases yields while reducing waste and environmental impact, enabling us to provide consumers with fresh, sustainable, and affordable indoor-grown produce and leafy greens."
At its Biofarms, the company has developed and implemented a proprietary bioponic growing program that enhances natural processes with carefully controlled light spectrum and exposure timing as well as temperatures, humidity, and water regimen. These technology and biology platforms have advanced the production of fresh, indoor-grown produce that delivers on the company's four key promises: organic, sustainable, affordable, and accessible.
According to a press release, Shenandoah growers has focused its research and development efforts over the past 10-plus years on how to scale organic indoor food production to meet growing consumer demand for fresh and affordable produce. With impressive unit economics, capital efficiency, market reach, and product offerings, Shenandoah Growers is poised to deliver affordable USDA certified organic produce, grown indoors and in soil, at scale.
The mission of the AgTech Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize innovation in a range of agricultural and food technology categories. This year's program attracted more than 1,500 nominations from all over the world.
"Plants rely on sunlight to feed and grow through photosynthesis, but with growing demand for fresh and affordable products and climate change is making it difficult for farmers around the world, we can no longer solely rely on business as usual food production techniques," said Bryan Vaughn, Managing Director of AgTech Breakthrough Awards. "Congratulations to Shenandoah Growers for winning the Sunless Production System of the Year award. By leveraging cutting-edge science and technological innovation, the company is delivering produce year-round—all while conserving natural resources and reducing planetary impact."
Congratulations to Shenandoah Growers on earning this distinguished honor!
