Greenhouse Grower got an up-close look at what is happening at Mucci Farms’ Huron, OH, location where 25 acres of tomatoes on the vine are under production. The Huron operation opened in May 2018.
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Mucci Farms is vertically integrated from seed to retail. These hydroponically grown tomatoes are sold to many major retailers.
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The tomatoes are turned once a year, growing two varieties. All tomatoes are hand harvested.
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A high-wire system is used to produce tomatoes on the vine. The vines grow from 40 to 50 feet. Tomatoes are harvested 36 to 40 weeks a year.
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The Power Bee self-driving cart from Bogaerts transports up to 4,000 pounds of tomatoes to the loading station at this highly automated facility in Huron, OH.
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Jefferson Downton, a head grower at Mucci Farms, says one of the biggest issues facing the industry is finding enough labor, as Mucci’s tomatoes are hand harvested.
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Mucci Farms takes a bio-friendly approach to production, using biocontrols when they can and only turning to stronger products when needed.
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Koppert supplies bees for pollination. The boxes are located every 15 rows throughout the greenhouse to help ensure the job gets done.
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As part of the biocontrol program, eggs of parasitic wasps are stationed on row ends. When the eggs hatch, they help reduce the whitefly population.
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The facility is harvested in thirds. In a week, more than 550,000 pounds of tomatoes are hand-picked.
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By growing on elevated benches, Mucci Farms keeps the greenhouse clean. The operation also recycles leachate irrigation water.
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At the Huron, OH, location, Mucci Farms is expanding from 25 acres to 50 acres next year. An additional 25 acres is on tap for 2021 or 2022. The current plan is to use the additional space for tomato production.
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Looking down the center aisle, 300 feet of growing space are on each side of the greenhouse.
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Supplemental lighting is used during the winter; it’s a combination of LED and high-pressure sodium lighting.
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Most environmental controls are automated by Priva. Each Priva station controls 8 acres.
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The blue tags on row ends are RFID scanners that allow a worker to scan in, indicating the workers name, the job he is doing, and what row he is located in. This also helps with traceability.
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Workers get tomatoes ready for cold storage and shipping.
Mucci Farms is headquartered in Kingsville, Ontario, and the Huron facility is the company’s first U.S. expansion. The Ohio greenhouses are equipped with supplemental High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lighting to grow through the winter months. In Kingsville, Mucci owns and operates about 250 acres of tomato, pepper, cucumber, lettuce and strawberry greenhouses.
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015Mucci Farms Focuses on Production, Processes, and Expansion
June 30, 2019 
