"When I started, vertical farming was mostly something you'd hear about in Japan. Now it's everywhere." Jonah Krochmalnek reflects on his decade-long journey in the microgreens industry. "The U.S. and Canada are nowadays leading the way, but Europe and Asia are catching up fast."
For nearly ten years, Jonah led Living Earth Farm, an urban microgreens farm in Toronto, Canada, where he focused on producing high-quality, nutrient-rich microgreens known for being tastier, fuller, and packed with more nutrition. Jonah explains, "combining organic farming practices with innovative vertical farming technology, turned the farm into one of the largest microgreens farms in Canada".
In September 2020, while still running the farm, Jonah launched Microgreens Consulting to share his expertise with others in the microgreens and vertical farming world. By 2023, consulting became his full-time focus. Jonah has helped thousands of farmers worldwide, through educational content and personalized coaching, to improve their yields, increase profitability, and adopt more efficient farming practices.
Increasing awareness of the health benefits
"It's incredible to see how far we've come. What started as a niche industry is now a global booming business, with growing interest in all parts of the world. This rise in popularity is largely due to the increasing awareness of the health benefits of microgreens. Once primarily used as a garnish, microgreens are now recognized as nutrient-packed superfoods, loaded with antioxidants and essential minerals. Influencers like Bryan Johnson have helped bring them into the spotlight, incorporating them into health-conscious, long-living lifestyles" says Jonah.
Despite this rapid growth, Jonah recognized a challenge for many farmers: the inefficiency of seeding by hand. This repetitive, time-consuming process often led to uneven seed distribution, which not only reduced yields but also increased the risk of contamination and diseases such as pythium. Unevenly spread seeds means some plants received less light and soil space, impacting growth and overall yield. Recognizing how critical efficiency and consistency are in farming, Jonah decided to develop a solution in partnership with Vertigrow: The Little Green Seeding Machine.
After seven iterations and countless hours of testing, Jonah perfected the design. The machine speeds up the seeding process by up to four times compared to manual methods. It ensures even seed distribution, allowing each plant to receive optimal light and nutrients. This consistency improves crop health, boosts yields, and significantly reduces the risk of disease.
Efficiency is key to stay competitive
Designed for both small and large-scale farms, the machine can also be easily attached to a conveyor belt for larger operations. "At a time when we face labor shortages and rising training costs, efficiency is key to stay competitive as a microgreens farmer," he concludes.
"I've been in the farmer's shoes, so I know the challenges firsthand. That's why I wanted to create something that makes life easier and farming more sustainable. This machine lets farmers focus on growing top quality food, not on tedious, repetitive tasks." Adds Jonah. He created a profitability calculator to show in advance exactly how much time and money the machine can save for each individual farm.
Through his seeding machine and his unwavering commitment to innovation, Jonah is not only improving the way microgreens are grown—he is planting the seeds for the future of farming itself.
For more information:
Microgreens Consulting
Jonah Krochmalnek, Founder and CEO
[email protected]
www.microgreensconsulting.com