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Ag Spectra Ltd Whole Earth Science & Technology
Lethbridge / Magrath
Phone: 403-929-4460
Email: Lonnie.Mesick@AgSpectra.com
Lethbridge / Magrath
Phone: 403-929-4460
Email: Lonnie.Mesick@AgSpectra.com
Magrath Greenhouse Project: Starfield Centre
Mr Mesick presented to Chamber members over lunch hour on Wed 24 Jun 2015.
This information provided for those unable to attend:
Background (per Ag Spectra website info): Mr Mesick is the President and CEO of Ag Spectra Ltd, a position held since Aug 2013. Prior to that, since Nov 2011, Mr Mesick served as President and CEO of Ap Spectra Ltd Hong Kong. He has over 30 years experience in engineering and research. Has served in multiple operational and managerial roles at NEC America, Imperial Bank, and in consulting roles to PG&E Energy, U.S.Bank, and Intel. Ag Spectra is Lonnies second successful startup, the first being Center Pointe Community Bank centerpointebank.com.
His LinkedIn profile info: " I am the vision holder for a unique type of greenhouse operation for Southern Alberta called Starfield Centre. Starfield Centre's mission is to provide clean locally grown produce for the communities we serve. The first location is in Magrath, Alberta - with the first phase build out of 15,000 sq meters scheduled for September 2015" - see their proposal website at starfieldcentre.ca
Mr Mesick has been in talks with the Town of Magrath to acquire land to develop this first of it's kind (in Canada) greenhouse operation. He hopes this will be the training center and template for many projects to follow.
This information provided for those unable to attend:
Background (per Ag Spectra website info): Mr Mesick is the President and CEO of Ag Spectra Ltd, a position held since Aug 2013. Prior to that, since Nov 2011, Mr Mesick served as President and CEO of Ap Spectra Ltd Hong Kong. He has over 30 years experience in engineering and research. Has served in multiple operational and managerial roles at NEC America, Imperial Bank, and in consulting roles to PG&E Energy, U.S.Bank, and Intel. Ag Spectra is Lonnies second successful startup, the first being Center Pointe Community Bank centerpointebank.com.
His LinkedIn profile info: " I am the vision holder for a unique type of greenhouse operation for Southern Alberta called Starfield Centre. Starfield Centre's mission is to provide clean locally grown produce for the communities we serve. The first location is in Magrath, Alberta - with the first phase build out of 15,000 sq meters scheduled for September 2015" - see their proposal website at starfieldcentre.ca
Mr Mesick has been in talks with the Town of Magrath to acquire land to develop this first of it's kind (in Canada) greenhouse operation. He hopes this will be the training center and template for many projects to follow.
Disclaimer: The Chamber has a mandate to support local business here in Magrath and does so by facilitating the provision of information between our members and interested third parties - in this case Mr Mesick and his company and to some degree the Town of Magrath. While we do not and cannot promote any specific investment project, we can and will provide information as it becomes available and provide it here for members to decide the merits of this info and act as they see fit.
Notes from lunch hour meeting with Mr Mesick Wed 24 Jun 2015:
I am sure more questions could have been addressed, but by 1pm many had to return to their own places of employment. In additon, we have no regular Chamber meetings scheduled over the summer break. Hope this helps!
R Davies, Chamber Secretary.
- Introduction by J Mackenzie of Roosters. He hopes to access the 'fruits of their labor' for sale in his store in addition to many local markets. Currently we pay a large percentage for shipping and storage of products that are proposed to be able to be produced here in the Greenhouse project.
- How do you see the company being run? It will be governed by a 'Core Sustainability Board' comprised of members from local University, School, and Community. They will seek grants from Provincial and National sources. Idea for CPR board governance credited to Elinor Ostrom.
- Organization/Layout of the Greenhouse? Mr Mesick decribes plans for an Orchard House, Berry House, Veggie House, Vine House (grapes), as well as an indoor community 'Winter Garden' park accesible to public. He has worked a similar project in China in recent past.
- Construction and materials? He plans to use new materials by Dupont ETFE which is to be a non-flamible (flourine based) greenhouse material that provides superior strength and permits greater light into the greenhouses. Products to be selected as needed but could include mini-potatoes, etc. They plan zeor waste and complete reuseal of water. e.g. Ladybug and Praying Mantis used for pest control and Honeybee for pollenation, etc. Drip irrigation, grafted root stock, high density. He forecasts 2 years before profitable.
- What obstacles to overcome in discussions with town re land lease? He has asked for a 50 yr lease, town lawyers suggested 10yr renewable. The system of proposed company governance also needed additional discussion. All in all, everything is coming together and town seems satisfied.
- Where is the land for proposed project? Just east of current Inline Ovals building.
- What jobs or training will be required? Mr Mesick sees 60 full time jobs required to run the facility. Hopes to get many local workers of all ages involved. QA seed assesments, expert growers, harvesting, pest control, R&D, education, and more.
- How can Chamber assist? Mr Mesick responded that they would prefer local investment and involvement. S Sabey asked about availability of an Offering Memorandum for the project? She would like to review details with her business contacts. Mr Mesick indicated that document was currently still under developement.
- Why Magrath? The 'Garden City' was actually his second choice for the inital greenhouse location. The UofL had been the location for the original project but has been delayed in talks. Several sources suggested he contact Mr Alston (our town adminstrator) and that is where the negotiations have led to now (since Apr 2015).
I am sure more questions could have been addressed, but by 1pm many had to return to their own places of employment. In additon, we have no regular Chamber meetings scheduled over the summer break. Hope this helps!
R Davies, Chamber Secretary.
Further info: Leif Erik Fossheim (is listed as employee on Starfield Center website) as R & D Scientist, AgSpectra Ltd (A Whole Earth science & technology company)
His LinkedIn page says: "The project consists of a network of urban-based, controlled-environment agricultural parks across southern Alberta (Canada) with construction of the first centre to start spring 2015. This is a cooperative venture with the University of Lethbridge to push forward food related sciences for a growing world population. Furthermore, it enriches Alberta, by changing the region from a import to export society of fresh produce, nutraceuticals and pharmacrops. Additionally, plant sciences will be strengthened by each agpark having dedicated space for academic research, which can then be applied and commercialized by the agricultural network. The hub of the Agnet is the Starfield Centre, with Magrath and other communities soon to follow. Some agtech flavour: modified permaculture/polyculture, multi-level (high-low) space utilization, horticultural-modeled LED lighting, space-age non-glass covering, multi-media growth systems, sensor driven growth mediation, semi-automated harvesting system, heat-exchange, waste energy utilization, species-species symbiotics, tailored horticulture methods, on-site research to application of ag-related tech and biotech."
His LinkedIn page says: "The project consists of a network of urban-based, controlled-environment agricultural parks across southern Alberta (Canada) with construction of the first centre to start spring 2015. This is a cooperative venture with the University of Lethbridge to push forward food related sciences for a growing world population. Furthermore, it enriches Alberta, by changing the region from a import to export society of fresh produce, nutraceuticals and pharmacrops. Additionally, plant sciences will be strengthened by each agpark having dedicated space for academic research, which can then be applied and commercialized by the agricultural network. The hub of the Agnet is the Starfield Centre, with Magrath and other communities soon to follow. Some agtech flavour: modified permaculture/polyculture, multi-level (high-low) space utilization, horticultural-modeled LED lighting, space-age non-glass covering, multi-media growth systems, sensor driven growth mediation, semi-automated harvesting system, heat-exchange, waste energy utilization, species-species symbiotics, tailored horticulture methods, on-site research to application of ag-related tech and biotech."
