On Thursday April 24th, Casey Houweling was joined by Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, representatives of Rocky Mountain Power, Juab County, the City of Mona, greenhouse build partners and town residents for the official groundbreaking at Houweling’s Tomatoes future site in Mona, Utah.
With over one-hundred in attendance for the ceremonial first shovels, the crowd had an opportunity to hear from Lieutenant Governor Cox, who expressed his excitement and the positive impact Houweling’s project will deliver rural Utah in the form of jobs and economic development. Following the Lieutenant Governor, External Communications Director of Rocky Mountain Power Paul Murphy shared why the company has such enthusiasm for the project. Knowing Houweling’s can take wasted heat and CO2 for growing tomatoes without any negative impact to efficiency or cost of power production at the Currant Creek plant makes it a sustainability success. Representing Juab County Commissioner’s office, Commissioner Rick Carlton spoke of the positive opportunities specifically brought into rural Juab County and thanked Houweling’s for choosing to come to Mona.
Prior to the official turning of soil, Casey Houweling, Houweling’s Tomatoes President and CEO addressed the crowd. With sincere intentions to ensure his company becomes part of the local community, he shared the company’s history and delved deeper into why Utah? With the patented Ultra Clima semi-closed greenhouse design, the ability to optimize conditions effectively and efficiently in a climate with extreme variations is a reality today. This combined with the ability to secure an agreement with PacifiCorp and Rocky Mountain Power for supply of traditionally wasted heat and CO2 allows for year-round growing. Layer in support from all levels of government and Houweling’s will proudly grow and harvest, fresh, tasty, sustainable, Utah Grown tomatoes, year-round.
At the conclusion of the formal ceremony, Casey Houweling held an open Q&A. The majority of questions came from local residents who wanted to understand more about the project and how it would potentially affect the community, both positively with jobs and potentially negatively impacts. Houweling addressed the questions straight on, providing technical answers on growing methods, water usage, irrigation source and reaffirming his commitment be a positive part of the community. This included the opportunity to hold a local job fair to be scheduled summer 2014 and he encouraged local residents to contact Houweling’s to bring any potential negative issues proactively to the forefront so they can be addressed.
With a 28.3 acre greenhouse farm being built this year, Houweling’s will have locally grown tomatoes available in late 2014 with nearly 100% of production planned for sale within a 500 mile radius, assuring the freshest tomatoes on grocery shelves. Additionally the project will bring upwards of 280 full time jobs to Juab County. The company plans to expand the greenhouse farm over the next 5-10 years with 3 more phases bringing the total acreage to 113 acres at full build-out.
Houweling’s Tomatoes is owned and operated by Casey Houweling, with greenhouse farms in Camarillo, California (125acres), Delta, British Columbia (50acres) and a third location under construction in Mona, Utah (28acres). A grower first, and CEO second, Casey is committed to growing great tasting tomatoes. Houweling’s is an industry leader in sustainable growing practices and continues to invest in technology that supports year-round fresh local produce.
Source: Houweling’s Tomatoes
