Thanks to Little Leaf Farms and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Carbon County is now officially home to the state’s largest CEA leafy greens production facility. Governor Josh Shapiro, who took office in January, was on hand with Little Leaf founder and CEO Paul Sellew for the facility’s grand opening May 31.
The 10-acre greenhouse — the grower’s second in the state — effectively doubles Little Leaf’s Pennsylvania production capacity. The expansion is expected to add 170 jobs to the area by year-end and position the grower for a retail presence in nearly 5,000 grocery stores.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supported the expansion with $3.5 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants.
“I want to plant a flag and show the rest of the country that Pennsylvania is a leader in agriculture, job creation and innovation — and Little Leaf Farms’ investment in our Commonwealth is proof that the future is being grown right here in Carbon County,” said Shapiro. “Pennsylvania is open for business and my Administration will continue to support our farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who want to grow and thrive here in the Commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding added, “The future of agriculture starts in places like Little Leaf Farms, in their amazing greenhouses that are built with the best technology available today. Agriculture has always been a driver of technology, and today our goal is to see that continue well into the future.”
The new Carbon County CEA facility integrates the company’s automated hands-free growing system, which Little Leaf maintains results in leafy greens that don’t require washing. Free of human hands from seed to packaging, Little Leaf lettuce is harvested 365 days a year and delivered to retailers within 24 hours.
Image courtesy Office of Governor Josh Shapiro