EXETER GREENHOUSE INFO CENTER

WELCOME TO THE EXETER GREENHOUSE INFO CENTER

The purpose of this site is to compile links to articles and documents related to the proposed greenhouse project in Exeter, RI that is planned for the land known as Schartner’s Farm. This project raises many questions (effects to the town’s character, zoning issues, traffic, light pollution, installation of utility scale solar, and many more).

This site is intended for the local community to have access to relevant facts, information about this project’s principals, and articles covering issues that other communities have experienced with similar installations.

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Jun 2

Michigan farmworkers allege pay shortfalls , chemical exposure in federal suit

"These were conditions that many of their coworkers around them were also suffering from in the greenhouse. Instead of offering them...

Don’t Put All Your Tomatoes In One Basket

May 9

Don’t Put All Your Tomatoes In One Basket

AppHarvest found out what happens when your business is solely dependent upon Mastronardi Produce. Mastronardi is currently our sole,...

RI Grows, I’m Sure It Will Be Different For You

May 9

RI Grows, I’m Sure It Will Be Different For You

This is a lawsuit about a business dispute between a tomato grower and a tomato merchant. The grower is SunSelect Produce (California),...

Can You Spot Green Empire Farms?

Apr 29

Can You Spot Green Empire Farms?

This is the current light pollution for the Green Empire Farms greenhouse in Oneida, NY. For reference, this is the current light...

'It's creating a new industry': Massive hydroponic farms get tax breaks in South Bend

Mar 6

'It's creating a new industry': Massive hydroponic farms get tax breaks in South Bend

JEM Farms of South Bend and Greenleaf Holdco are each planning large hydroponic growing facilities on the southwest side of the city near...

Feb 9

We need to talk about the real reason behind US inflation

99% off the tomatoes for sale, of any variety, at Stop and Shop are Sunset (Mastronardi) branded. This is the monopoly that Rhode Island...

Jan 10

RI Grows Podcast Episode

https://www.buzzsprout.com/608737/9855095?fbclid=IwAR17Y0loK7ktgroKkxlGSFeuOKuKobSCax3CdwK1IbZQBbYB1-BF2vIX99s Mr. Schartner mentioned...

Jan 4

PURCHASE & MARKETING AGREEMENT EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTION APPHARVEST, LLC [with Mastronardi Produce]

Mastronardi shall market and sell the Products, directly or indirectly, to its customers. Grower has agreed to have Mastronardi market...

Jan 1

U.S. blocking tomato shipments from Mexican farms accused of abusing workers

Del Campo Supreme, an Arizona distributor whose motto is “People First,” received the vast majority of the produce, according to import...

Dec 10, 2021

RI Grows Mailer - Cannabis

Myth: Growing cannabis RI Grows: We are only growing beefsteak tomatoes Of course RI Grows is not growing cannabis; except for a limited...

Nov 30, 2021

Madison tomato grower repeatedly violated federal laws with hiring practices, report found

The investigation was the first federal inquiry into Backyard Farms, although its owner, Mastronardi Produce Ltd. of Kingsville, Ontario,...

Nov 22, 2021

AppHarvest, Inc. (APPH) Failed to Disclose Labor and Productivity Challenges to Investors

AppHarvest attributed the lower than expected results to “operational headwinds with the full ramp up to full production at the company’s...

Nov 20, 2021

Hunger for tomatoes turns Canada into greenhouse superpower

The greenhouses, heated with natural gas, already struggle with increased fuel prices under Ontario’s cap-and-trade carbon program....

Nov 20, 2021

Kingsville family greenhouse business dispute results in US$1.5 million awarded by jury

A ugly court dispute that played out for months in Ohio between two Kingsville greenhouse operators — and family members — resulted with...

Nov 19, 2021

Changes coming to Wapakoneta greenhouse

Mastronardi Produce signed a deal with Golden Fresh Farms, the company that initially built and opened the 20-acre facility last year....

Nov 19, 2021

Golden Fresh Farms breaks ground on 20-acre Ohio greenhouse

Paul Mastronardi and Louie Chibante, principal owners of Golden Fresh Farms, announced a $100 million investment over the first four...

Nov 18, 2021

Mastronardi Produce expands with sixth greenhouse in North America

Mastronardi Produce, a leading grower and distributor of specialty and commodity greenhouse produce in North America, announced that it...

Nov 15, 2021

Madison tomato grower repeatedly violated federal laws with hiring practices, report found

https://www.centralmaine.com/2021/10/23/madison-tomato-grower-repeatedly-violated-federal-laws-with-hiring-practices-report-found/

Mastronardi Produce acquires New England greenhouse grower

Nov 15, 2021

Mastronardi Produce acquires New England greenhouse grower

https://www.foodincanada.com/food-in-canada/mastronardi-produce-acquires-new-england-greenhouse-grower-137109/

Nov 14, 2021

RI Grows Breaks Ground on Indoor Tomato Farming Facility, to Create 80 Jobs

https://www.tradeandindustrydev.com/region/rhode-island/news/ri-ri-grows-breaks-ground-indoor-tomato-farming-fa-18177