On a warm Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, Foertmeyer & Sons welcomed over 100 visitors to tour their latest greenhouse expansion, showcasing the future of horticultural innovation. This event, drawing significant interest, saw an additional 100 guests the following Tuesday, emphasizing the community’s enthusiasm for advanced agricultural practices.
Foertmeyer & Sons, a leader in seasonal fundraising programs, is renowned for offering a diverse array of plants, including poinsettias, petunias, calibrachoas, hanging baskets, and edibles. Their initiatives have raised millions of dollars for schools and community groups, solidifying their reputation as a cornerstone of community support.
The new expansion features North America’s first Rovero Roll-Air greenhouse and a smaller HortiHouse, enhancing the company’s production capacity across a 3.5-acre range. This state-of-the-art development includes a headhouse from DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg Ltd, ErfGoed flood floors, a Damatex climate system heated by BioTherm Solutions, and automation solutions from WPS. These installations represent a significant leap forward in efficiency and technological integration.
Mark Foertmeyer, addressing the visitors, expressed both excitement and concern over the ongoing project, particularly regarding the maintenance of plant health during the construction phase. The new facilities are designed to mitigate such issues, featuring rapid climate control capabilities. The Roll-Air greenhouse, for instance, can be opened and closed in just one minute, allowing for swift adjustments to changing weather conditions.
Additionally, the ErfGoed ebb and flow floor system, demonstrated by Jacco van Delden, Jac Gabriels, and Roy Bransen, provides innovative solutions for plant irrigation and transport. This system enhances the efficiency and ease of plant care, ensuring optimal growth conditions.
BioTherm’s heating and cooling solutions, along with Damatex’s comprehensive control systems, further streamline operations, offering precise environmental management. These technological advancements are expected to significantly boost productivity and sustainability in Foertmeyer & Sons’ greenhouse operations.
Foertmeyer & Sons’ commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into their operations not only highlights their dedication to innovation but also positions them as a key player in the future of sustainable agriculture. For entrepreneurs and investors seeking promising opportunities in the agricultural sector, Foertmeyer & Sons’ expansion serves as a compelling case study of growth through technological advancement.
