When two brothers decided to invest their applied scientific knowledge into sustaining organic food production, their efforts revolutionized Etobicoke’s farming industry.
Founded by Lukas and Stephan Sirianni, Etobigrow is an urban local farm devoted to fostering indoor vertical growing methods to regenerate organic plant-based crops including basils, tomatoes, herbs, and microgreens.
The duo primarily focuses on sustainable farming through hydroponic technology, a recently emerging agricultural industry in Canada that substitutes nutrient-dense water for soil and grows 95 per cent of their organic vegetables.
Their indoor-plant cultivation is equipped with innovative sensory software which collects an assortment of data from light, water and humidity to ensure healthy crop production, devoid of any urban pollution and erratic climate conditions.
While vertical farming is not new to the GTA, yet Lukas and Stephan’s hydroponically engineered vegetables are bringing in a plethora of environmental benefits within Etobicoke’s growing urban sprawls. From limited use of arable land to reduced ecological resources, the brothers are helping to transform a greener local economy.
“Depending on how much transportation costs are in bringing food to these remote communities, it can help lower food prices” says Nicholas Bannon, a master’s student in the department of Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics (FARE) from Guelph University.
In fact, plant-based crops cultivated within hydroponic environments greatly benefit remote, northern communities where incompatible soil quality, costly imported produce, and inclement weather conditions make outdoor farming tedious.
To illustrate, Canada’s heavy reliance on imported produce has exacerbated the nation’s food insecurity and erratic price fluctuations. Yet a 2020 study from Statistics Canada found an annual increase of hydroponic farming such as greenhouse vegetables has elevated export revenue by $1.4 billion.
Additionally, depleting environmental health has raised concerns on the sustainability of agriculture, yet Bannon highlights the importance of eco-friendly farming to combat the imminent effects of climate change. However, he says a melding of regenerative technology and in-door farming could be a viable solution.
Countless research shows recent growth of hydroponic production in Canada has helped significantly reduce the country’s average carbon emission of 15 Tonnes of CO2 per year. Particularly, a 2022 report conducted by RBC in collaboration with BCG Centre for Canada’s Future and the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute stated a converged practice of technology and regenerative farming could cut up to 40 per cent of 2050 emissions.
While hydroponic production has been a bygone practice, its resurgence dating back to the 1940s and in recent years has shown the practice gaining popularity across the urban farm sector. As a result, the report suggests private investments, policy developments, and significant research to expand Canada’s regenerative farming industry will shape a greener economy.
Fortunately, Etobigrow’s social media page, weekly local events, and volunteering opportunities are dedicated to raising awareness on hydroponic farming within urbanized areas, where an increasing appetite for local food production has surged.
“Going out to events like that and getting to know where your food is coming from can really help younger people become aware of the importance of agriculture” says Bannon.