THE BATTLEFORDS — A serious transport truck accident in February 2016 changed the course of Mike Bartlett's life and career.
Bartlett suffered extensive injuries, including a crushed upper body and face, a broken neck, multiple skull and jaw fractures, brain bleeds and more than 20 broken ribs. He spent five weeks in hospital. Doctors told him the best-case scenario was that he would be paralyzed from the bottom of his lip down.
Before the accident, Bartlett worked as a sales representative for Centennial Foods. His territory covered much of western Saskatchewan, stretching from Meadow Lake to near Maple Creek and Regina.
Recovery took three years. During that time, Bartlett refused to accept the limitations that had been predicted for him. When he was ready to return to work, he discovered that his previous sales territory was gone. Returning to Centennial Foods would have meant starting over in a junior position.
"If I am going to work this hard for anybody again, it is going to be for me," Bartlett said. "It is going to be me that benefits after this nose grinding of three years while I was in recovery."
Instead of returning to his former career path, Bartlett decided to start his own business.
He opened the Gras Shop, which supplied products for growing needs, including legal cannabis. After several challenging years, Bartlett restructured the business and shifted his focus toward hydroponic food production for local markets and restaurants.
During that process, he learned about vertical growing systems. The systems use relatively little water and energy while producing large quantities of food. Bartlett saw an opportunity to address food security concerns while building a new business.
His opportunity came when he found a facility located about 10 minutes northwest of Battleford along Highway 16. The building had previously been used for legal cannabis production.
The facility already contained the infrastructure suitable for hydroponic production. Bartlett was able to buy the vertical racking , tubs and lights at an auction in Edmonton. The rest he was able to buy from other various suppliers.
Bartlett approached the owners with a proposal. They asked him to prepare a business plan showing how the operation could work. With only a week before the auction, Bartlett completed the plan and presented it to the owners.
The proposal was accepted, allowing him to rent the facility and begin building the operation.
"There have been some setbacks," Bartlett said, "but we worked through them."
Today, Bartlett operates Grassroots Farm using hydroponic vertical growing methods.
Hydroponics involves growing plants in water rather than soil. In traditional farming, water moves through soil and carries nutrients to plant roots. Hydroponic systems remove the soil and deliver nutrients directly to the roots.
Without soil, many pests and fungi are eliminated. Plants receive a constant supply of water and nutrients, allowing them to grow quickly and efficiently.
Bartlett uses a Deep Water Culture (DWC) system. Large watertight tubs hold nutrient-rich water while floating Styrofoam rafts support the plants above. Plant roots remain submerged in the water, while air pumps and air stones provide oxygen to prevent root rot. Water circulates continuously throughout the system.
Each growing section measures approximately eight feet high and 20 feet long. One row contains about 2,400 gallons of water, while another holds 3,500 gallons. Three additional tanks each hold 750 gallons.
The nutrient system includes fertilizers that provide macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Depending on the crop, other nutrients including calcium, sulphur, magnesium, zinc, manganese, boron and copper may also be added.
Because excess moisture on leaves can create mildew problems, water is delivered through the root system rather than sprayed on the plants.
Bartlett noted that produce grown indoors under artificial lighting cannot be marketed as organic when more than 50 per cent of the lighting comes from artificial sources, even though all of his crops begin from organic seed.
One room currently produces lettuce, kale, chard, dill, mustard greens, Thai basil and other herbs and vegetables.
"The next six to eight weeks we will be concentrating on getting the other side in the first room fully operational and it will allow us to meet the expanding demand," Bartlett said.
He also plans to expand into additional growing rooms and eventually convert the facility to a newer vertical growing system. As production increases, more employees will be needed.
Bartlett's connection to the food industry stretches back decades. His family opened the Bulk Cheese Warehouse in Saskatoon in 1987 and continues to operate the business today. Bartlett has been involved with the family business since childhood and has spent approximately 35 years working in the food industry.
Those relationships continue to benefit his current venture. Many restaurant owners and chefs already know Bartlett and are interested in purchasing his products once production increases.
"I can't go to a chef and ask how much they need and not show up," he said. "They can't cancel a menu item because I couldn't meet the demand."
Recently, Bartlett earned second place in the North Battleford Business Innovation Hub Business Pitch Presentation, receiving a $2,500 award. The Innovation Hub is also assisting Grassroots Farm in pursuing additional funding opportunities to support expansion over the next nine months.
Currently, Grassroots products are available through Wolf Market in Battleford, Steep Hill Food Co-op in Saskatoon and Bartlett's seafood business, Hooked Fish and Seafood in Saskatoon. The seafood operation will soon be combined with Grassroots Farm under the name Grassroots Market.
For Bartlett, the business represents much more than a new career. After surviving injuries that doctors believed would permanently limit his future, he has built a growing operation focused on supplying local food while creating opportunities for further expansion.
