A new state-of-the-art greenhouse, funded by the Coles Nurture Fund, will be launched on 2 March by Clyde small business, Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, as part of its new model for urban farming. The new model means locally grown herbs should be available all year round at affordable prices for Coles customers.

Sophisticated cloud technology, designed by Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, will be installed in the greenhouse, with large screens mounted to guide employees on exactly when and what herbs to plant, pick and pack.

Herbs will be grown on Dutch-designed rolling benches which can be pushed together to increase planting space, and also wheeled into an adjoining shed so employees can harvest the herbs at the one location.

Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs co-founder Jan Vydra, who was awarded Australian Young Farmer of the Year in 2011, says it will be the first time in Australia’s horticulture industry that a small business has introduced new cloud technology and rolling benches into a climate controlled greenhouse to grow herbs.