FRANKFORT, Ky. – Bosch Berries, an international grower and distributor of bell peppers, blackberries and strawberries, will be locating a new greenhouse operation in Somerset, Ky., Gov. Andy Beshear recently announced.

“The growth within Kentucky’s agritech industry has played a key role in the state’s continued economic momentum and prosperity,” Beshear said. “Bosch Berries’ plan to locate its first location in the United States right here in the Commonwealth speaks volumes about what our state has to offer.”

Company officials said the existing greenhouse infrastructure will allow the company to enhance the growing environment to maximize production capacity, implement new technologies to optimize growing efficiencies, reduce waste, and gain access to the U.S. market. The existing greenhouse is capable of growing approximately one million strawberry plants at a time.

Last September at an auction, the Rottendam, the Netherlands-based company acquired the previously-established, now-defunct AppHarvest’s 30-acre berry and cucumber farm in Somerset.

“We are thrilled with the acquisition of the Somerset facility, and to become a part of the Somerset community,” said Tijmen and Wouter van den Bosch, Bosch Berries co-directors in a Feb. 12 news release.

“With some technical changes we have planned for this summer, and introducing the best practices we have built through 90 years of greenhouse experience, we will make it one of the most successful greenhouses of its kind,” they added.

Tijmen van den Bosch told Farm World, “The greenhouse is operational. We are in full production up to the beginning of summer. We chose Kentucky due to its light levels (sunlight intensity), central location, good connection to highways, and available labor.”

Founded in 1854, Bosch Berries is a sixth-generation family farm operation. The company has been in greenhouse cultivation since the 1930s. In 2017, it ventured into greenhouse berry production, using hydroponics, which is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil.

Alan Keck, Somerset mayor, said of Bosch Berries bringing its operation to Pulaski County: “Our community is excited and appreciative of Bosch Berries for their commitment to the Somerset facility. I firmly believe they will execute on the promise that fresh produce will be grown, using state-of-the-art technology for decades to come.”

Brandon Mattingly, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Office of Marketing and Public Affairs director, told Farm World, “We at Team Kentucky are thrilled to welcome Bosch Berries to the Commonwealth, as we continue to build on our rapidly-growing agritech and agribusiness sectors.

“We expect the addition of Bosch Berries to the Somerset and Pulaski County community to have a significant, positive impact on the region and the state as a whole,” he said. “The company is investing nearly $50 million into the project, which is creating roughly 30 good-wage jobs for our residents.”

He added, “Those jobs will positively impact dozens of families, and provide a foundation for the company to grow in the Commonwealth.”