"Urban environments like Winnipeg are perfectly suited for vertical farming. Vertical farming allows users to easily grow anything they like and maximize space. There are so many benefits to localized food production, especially the potential of job creation, and the resilience against the impacts of climate change," says Trina Semenchuk, Founder of Little Greenhouse That Could (LGTC).
LGTC sells indoor growing solutions, such as Harvest Today Harvest Wall Vertigation™ Systems of which Trina is the regional distributor in Manitoba and North Western Ontario. LGTC provides educational workshops to teach people how to grow to produce indoors. "I want to turn Winnipeg into the vertical farming city of the world," says Trina.
Trina Semenchuk
Winnipeg: vertical farming capital of the world?
On top of the aspiring goal to make Winnipeg the vertical farming capital of the world, Trina's ultimate mission is to position Winnipeg as a hub for research and development in agriculture. With its central location and supportive community network, she believes Winnipeg has the potential to lead the way in advancing vertical farming technologies on a global scale.
Juggling between a full-time job and an ever-so-growing vertical farming business, Trina continues to navigate the demands of her growing startup, she remains focused on expanding pilot projects and securing funding to scale up vertical farming initiatives across Manitoba. "I've been so occupied with interviews and local coverage as a result of the presentation at the government of Manitoba."
Growing for the homeless
Recently, she presented the benefits and opportunities of vertical farming in Winnipeg to the Lieutenant Governor, Her Hon. Anita Neville, as well as an audience of local community members at the Government House of Manitoba. She has also set up various projects at the University of Manitoba. Her latest one is a research project focused on energy consumption in CEA, with the use of Harvest Today's Harvest Wall Vertigation Systems. The produce harvested from this project is donated to Siloam Mission, a homeless shelter in Winnipeg, where it serves to provide nutritious options for those in need.
Trina shares, "We wanted to make a tangible difference in our community by using innovative farming practices to address food insecurity. The success of this project has led to Siloam Mission's purchasing a Harvest Wall for their use."
Besides her involvement with the community and university projects, Trina is deeply involved in educational outreach, having launched a vertical farming education program at St. John's High School. Reflecting on it, she shares, "Community-based projects are essential for demystifying vertical farming and providing a sense of ownership and innovation among future generations."
Boosting urban farming
Becoming a new distributor of the Harvest Walls, Trina explains that it's a great way to transition from traditional farming to vertical farming. "Using soil and substrate makes it not that big of a change, allows for recycling and the system is so easy to use. The regular Harvest Wall Vertigation System holds 720 ports, which makes for great airflow in comparison to other systems and no cramped space. I like how the space is efficiently used, in terms of how the lights are spaced from the plants e.g."
The Harvest Wall
Despite the recent rush of attention, Trina remains steadfast in driving vertical farming in her province and across the nation. "For anyone interested in the Harvest Walls, or education in vertical farming, my door is always open. Together, we can cultivate a future where fresh, nutritious food is accessible to all while building resilient and thriving communities."
For more information:
Little Greenhouse That Could
Trina Semenchuk, Founder and CEO
+1 204-899-2647
[email protected]
https://littlegreenhousethatcould.ca
Harvest Today
Aleeya Laureola, Marketing Manager
+1 204 264 0067
[email protected]
www.harvest.today