Kentucky’s agritech sector continues to grow with the recent announcement of a new facility coming to Pulaski County.
Bosch Berries, an international grower and distributor of bell peppers, blackberries and strawberries, is locating a new greenhouse operation in Somerset.
The company acquired the previously established AppHarvest facility in Somerset. It will be their first greenhouse operation in the United States.
“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, co-directors of Bosch Berries. “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. We want to thank all employees and partners who share our belief in better berries, which are tasty, fresh, clean, sustainable and always available. Somerset deserves better berries; Kentucky deserves better berries, and the United States deserves better berries. Be on the lookout in your local grocery store for hydroponically grown strawberries.”
The existing greenhouse infrastructure will allow the company to maximize production capacity, implement new technologies to optimize growing efficiencies, reduce waste and gain access to the U.S. market.
The existing greenhouse, which has been operational since November 2022, is more than 30 acres and capable of growing approximately one million strawberry plants at a time.
Purchase of the Somerset facility is a nearly $50 million investment and will create 28 full-time jobs.
According to a press release, this investment will serve as a steppingstone for future Bosch Berries’ greenhouse operations in the United States.
“The growth within Kentucky’s agritech industry has played a key role in the state’s continued economic momentum and prosperity,” said Governor Beshear. “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. This is an incredible investment for southcentral Kentucky and the Pulaski County community, and I look forward to a long, successful partnership.”
Based out of the Netherlands, Bosch Berries is a sixth generation family farm operation founded in 1854.
The company has been involved with greenhouse cultivation since the 1930s and in 2017, ventured into greenhouse berry production, focusing on the production of year-round blackberries.
For more information, visit boschgrowers.com.
