Dryden-based AgriTech North has won a national competition.
The indoor farming operation is the inaugural winner of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network “Bears Lair” Indigenous business pitch competition.
As a result the thriving company takes home $100,000.
The company, located on 250 Duke Street, launched earlier this year and competed against 18 other Indigenous companies from across Canada for the prize money.
AgriTech North grows a variety of lettuces, herbs and fruits at its facility and all items are distributed to communities and First Nations across the region.
Their farming hydroponics system uses 90 per cent less water, 60 per cent less nutrients, and no pesticides,
The facility has about 2,000 square feet of grow space with 900 towers that can yield over 450 kilograms of produce every week with greens, culinary herbs and other products.
CEO Ben Feagin Jr. says they are able to provide fresh produce year-round, contributing to the resolution of food insecurity throughout northwestern Ontario.
In a social media post, Feagin Jr. stated, “Fabian (Fabian Prince Velez) and I are ecstatic to be awarded the honour of winning the inaugural season of Bear’s Lair! There are so many people who contributed to this success. We couldn’t have come this far without the intimate mentorship, support, and guidance of those around us, including the other participants.”
Earlier AgriTech North won the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre’s Innovative Project of the Year award and $10,000 was used to launch the company’s e-commerce program, a streamlined wholesale marketplace that makes it easier for clients to book their orders.
Feagin Jr. has stated that these funding streams will help keep them going.
It’s been a big year for Feagin Jr. and his company as he won the Dryden Business Excellence Young Leader award, the Business of the Year award, and RBC Futurepreneur award.
Visit AgriTech North for more information on the company and the available services.
