Can AI-Grown Lettuce Help Canada Cut Ties with U.S. Produce? This Ontario Farmer Thinks So

As food supply chains face increasing strain, one Ontario farmer is leading a technological revolution to reshape Canadian agriculture. In King City, entrepreneur and third-generation farmer Jay Willmot has launched Haven Greens — a fully automated, AI-driven greenhouse growing 4,000 kilograms of lettuce daily, all without human hands touching a single plant.

“From sowing to harvest, it’s all done by machines,” Willmot said, standing amid rows of lush, machine-monitored lettuce.

The massive, two-hectare facility uses cutting-edge automation and sensors to manage temperature, humidity, light, and even pressure — all powered by solar energy and rainwater systems. With support from federal and provincial incentives, Willmot believes this model can reduce Canada’s dependence on U.S. greens, especially after price shocks caused by California droughts and disease.

The mission is food sovereignty: produce that’s local, fresh, and reliable — even in winter.

But not everyone is convinced. Critics, including Canada’s Research Chair in Science and Society Kelly Bronson, warn that rapid AI adoption in agriculture could harm migrant farm workers who depend on seasonal jobs. “Displacing the most marginalized people without a safety net raises ethical concerns,” she noted.

Willmot counters that his business provides 35 full-time jobs to local workers and cuts long-distance transport emissions.

Experts also question the energy footprint of AI-powered farms, despite their net-zero promises. A growing body of research points to hidden climate costs from data storage and automation infrastructure.

Still, Willmot remains confident. With Canada’s aging farming population and no clear succession for two-thirds of operators, he sees AI-driven agriculture as a way to attract young talent back to the fields.

“We need to show young people that farming can be innovative, high-tech, and meaningful,” he said.