Research & Production Greenhouses
State of the Art Greenhouse
The CDC South Greenhouse is a 36,000-square-foot facility designed to support both research and commercial-scale production in controlled-environment agriculture. Located just east of Brooks, Alberta, the greenhouse combines advanced automation with flexible growing spaces ideal for universities, start-ups, and producers exploring sustainable crop production.
Facility Overview
Total Growing Area: 36,000 sq. ft.
- Two Distinct Wings:
- Research Wing: 10 independent climate-controlled zones (each 754 sq. ft.) designed for testing new crops, technologies, or management practices.
- Production Wing: 6 high-capacity zones (ranging from 1,885 to 8,600 sq. ft.) designed for scaled-up production and demonstration projects.
Smart Climate & Irrigation Systems
The facility is powered by an Argus Titan Climate Computer, which manages:
- Temperature, humidity, and CO₂ monitoring
- Automated irrigation and misting control
- Lighting, ventilation, and curtain systems
All systems remain modern, supported, and adaptable for multiple users. Additional grower offices can be configured with individual access and alarm controls.
Key Features
- Fully integrated heating and water systems (municipal & RO water)
- HPS grow lighting with multi-zone control
- Evaporative cooling and fog systems for precise humidity and temperature regulation
- Blackout and shade curtains for photoperiod control and energy efficiency
- Multi-source irrigation systems for both RO and tempered water with fertigation capacity
- Space for hydroponic, aeroponic, and deep-flow (DFT) applications
- Propagation areas, rolling benches, and recirculating drain systems
Opportunities for Use
The CDC South Greenhouse is ideal for:
- Research institutions testing new crops or environmental technologies
- Ag-tech developers trialing climate control or fertigation systems
- Commercial producers piloting new greenhouse crops
- Educational partners conducting student research and training
Partnership Potential
The County of Newell and project partners are exploring opportunities to:
- Enhance regional economic development collaborations
- Attract research partnerships with universities, ag-innovation firms, and producer groups
- Support training and workforce development in controlled-environment agriculture