For many growers, the biggest hurdle isn't skill or passion, it's cost. Even newer alternatives, like shipping container farms, come with a steep price tag, making them out of reach for small-scale growers.
That was the challenge facing 37 North Farms, a family-run farm in rural Manitoba, Canada. Instead of taking on an overwhelming financial burden, they turned to Trina Semenchuk and partnered with Little Greenhouse That Could to transform an unused shop room into a fully functional vertical farm.
From traditional farming roots to vertical farming innovation
37 North Farms was started by husband-and-wife co-founders, Ramsay and Angela Fehr, who wanted to reconnect with Angela's farming roots. They saw potential in vertical farming, but the high price tag of pre-built systems was a major roadblock.
"They originally wanted a shipping container," explains Semenchuk. "But after seeing their space, I developed a custom design and project proposal to show them how they could retrofit their existing space instead."
Rather than spending C$300,000 on a shipping container farm, they achieved the same year-round, high-yield production for just C$25,000.
Now, 37 North Farms is supplying locally grown romaine lettuce to grocery stores, proving that vertical farming can be both affordable and profitable.
From soil to coco coir: Adapting to a new way of growing
Although Angela and her family had experience in traditional farming, growing indoors required them to learn new techniques, including controlled-environment agriculture, nutrient management, and automation systems.
"From an outsider's perspective, they learned incredibly fast," says Semenchuk. "We set up their full-scale system nearly three months ago, and by January, their lettuce was already in grocery stores. Their crops are uniform, healthy, and very vibrant."
Instead of traditional hydroponics, 37 North Farms opted for coco coir, which retains moisture well and allows for precise nutrient control, leading to consistently high-quality yields.
To minimize risk, they rented equipment before committing to a full-scale system. This trial period gave them the flexibility to test, refine, and optimize their setup before making a big investment.
Locally grown lettuce is winning over customers
Customers immediately noticed the difference, with their lettuce staying fresh longer than supermarket varieties, which often spend days in transit before reaching store shelves.
"People are telling us the taste is way better," says Semenchuk. "That's a huge advantage for local farmers competing with imported produce."
The shorter supply chain makes a big impact. Since their lettuce is harvested and delivered fresh within days, it retains its flavor, texture, and nutrient quality far better than produce that has traveled thousands of miles.
The future of vertical farming in Manitoba
Looking ahead, Little Greenhouse That Could is expanding its consulting services to help more farmers replicate the 37 North Farms model.
They're also launching public awareness initiatives and seeking funding to bring vertical farms to five northern indigenous communities, where fresh produce is often scarce and expensive. Semenchuk's long-term goal is to position Manitoba as a leader in sustainable agriculture.
"I just wanted to take a moment to say that Trina and Little Greenhouse That Could were a huge help in getting our business started, and we look forward to continuing to growing 37 North Farms with them in the future," says Ramsay Fehr.
For more information:
Little Greenhouse That Could
Trina Semenchuk, Founder and CEO
trina@littlegreenhousethatcould.ca
https://littlegreenhousethatcould.ca
37 North Farms 
Ramsey Fehr, Co-Founder
ramsay_fehr@hotmail.com
www.37northfarms.com