GrowSpan Greenhouse Structures has announced the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art Venlo greenhouse at its Dyersville, IA, campus. To celebrate this milestone, GrowSpan will be hosting a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday, April 3rd from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST) at 1440 Field of Dreams Way.
The event will feature a formal ribbon-cutting at 1:00 p.m. CST, followed by guided tours of the structure, providing attendees with a firsthand look at this addition to GrowSpan’s greenhouse product line. Guests will also have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, enjoy food and beverages, and purchase fresh produce grown on-site.
Venlo Greenhouse Project – Capabilities and Features
GrowSpan’s Venlo greenhouse project represents years of research and development, as well as significant investments made in manufacturing facilities and infrastructure. To date, the company’s Iowa campus has grown to more than 60 acres in size, including recent updates to its production line totaling more than $13 million.
The Venlo marks an impressive addition to GrowSpan’s already expansive operation, showcasing not only its manufacturing prowess but also its proven capacity for executing complex construction projects. Likewise, this structure helps set a new standard for commercial greenhouse production, further solidifying GrowSpan’s position as a leader in the industry.
“We have a unique opportunity to expand our reach and provide innovative solutions to both existing and new customers,” says Will Hopkins, Business Development Manager for GrowSpan. “For operations needing a structure over 15,000 square feet, it’s an easy choice. It’s the most efficient system available, backed by Dutch technology that sets the industry standard.”
By expanding its product line to include Venlo greenhouses, GrowSpan provides commercial growers with a large-scale, high-performance alternative to more traditional greenhouse structures. This achievement underscores the company’s ability to meet the evolving demands of modern agriculture with industry-leading solutions.
“Our customers look for greenhouse systems that maximize profitability. The Venlo structure will allow them to produce large harvests at the lowest cost, giving them a clear edge in the marketplace,” says Tania Tomoroga, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for GrowSpan.
The completion of GrowSpan’s Venlo greenhouse project involved extensive collaboration between its research, design, and manufacturing teams. Every detail, from structural components to environmental control systems, was meticulously planned to maximize efficiency and productivity.
“We’ve always believed in the quality of our greenhouses, but the Venlo showcases GrowSpan’s ingenuity,” says Martina Bockenstedt, GrowSpan’s Vice President of Operations. “From the initial research and development to integrating new design software, and then manufacturing and constructing a greenhouse system of this magnitude and quality, we’ve shown GrowSpan’s ability to work collaboratively and raise the industry standard.”
Spanning nearly 1 acre, the facility boasts approximately 25,000 square feet of dedicated growing space. Its frame is constructed from hot-dipped galvanized steel, which is then clad with 4 mm glass on all sides and employs motorized, cable-driven climate screens for total control over light diffusion and light restriction.
“With glass, the structure allows around 90% of natural sunlight to come through,” says Jena Jepson, Head Grower for GrowSpan. “The taller roof and large open space also help create a more homogenous growing environment compared to a traditional greenhouse, and by using components like steel and glass that are better suited to harsh weather conditions, we’re really able to maximize the lifespan of your investment.”
Partition walls are used to divide the growing space into three distinct zones, each one tailored to an individual crop type. In the first zone, lettuce is produced in a deep-water cultivation system with above-ground ponds and polystyrene rafts. The second and third zones feature suspended gutter cultivation systems, incorporating drip irrigation with leachate collection to yield tomato and strawberry plants.
Additionally, the Venlo greenhouse is outfitted with the latest climate control equipment to allow for year-round, energy-efficient crop production. From HAF and AHU fans to vertical sliding windows, hydronic heating systems, LED lighting, high-pressure foggers, and much more, GrowSpan is able to customize and fine-tune the growing environment with precision accuracy.
“For us, we wanted this greenhouse to be a showcase where we could display a variety of growing systems and equipment,” says Jepson. “Deciding the growing systems was based on what we are seeing as industry standard and what our customers might like to see. That also carried through to many of the equipment choices we made, as well as what new technologies were going to promote energy savings and sustainability.”
The structure’s attached headhouse, designed with two levels, provides more than 10,000 square feet of supplemental production space. The lower level houses rooms for harvesting and processing, mechanical equipment, and storage, while its upper mezzanine level comes complete with an office, conference room, and viewing platform to offer a panoramic look into the greenhouse’s three distinct growing zones.
GrowSpan’s New Venlo Greenhouse – Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting
With such a massive production space, GrowSpan will be able to use its new Venlo greenhouse to benefit surrounding communities across Eastern Iowa. In addition to supplying the area with large quantities of fresh produce, GrowSpan will host future tours for mid to large-scale growers, local schools, and universities.
Growers, industry professionals, and the public are invited to attend the grand opening event to explore the new greenhouse, meet GrowSpan’s experts, and learn more about the latest advancements in controlled environment agriculture.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: https://www.growspan.com/about-us/events/venlo-grand-opening/.
