Windset Farms Santa Maria: The Scale Behind The Name
- 01. Windset Farms Santa Maria: What Sets It Apart in Produce
- 02. Facility Overview and Scale
- 03. Sustainability Innovations That Define Excellence
- 04. Product Portfolio and Year-Round Availability
- 05. Integrated Pest Management and Food Safety
- 06. Community Commitment and Social Accountability
- 07. Why Windset Stands Out in the Produce Industry
Windset Farms Santa Maria: What Sets It Apart in Produce
Windset Farms Santa Maria is a 168-acre greenhouse facility located at 1650 Black Road, Santa Maria, CA 93458, operating as the largest single-site greenhouse vegetable facility in the United States and the world's largest Ultra-Clima greenhouse. Completed in 2011, this year-round production facility grows tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers using sustainable, non-GMO practices with a 1-megawatt rooftop solar system.
Facility Overview and Scale
The Santa Maria operation spans 8 million square feet of growing area, making it a cornerstone of North America's vertically integrated produce supply chain. Unlike field farming requiring 50,000 acres for equivalent output, Windset's high-tech glasshouse production achieves record-breaking yields through controlled environmental agriculture.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | 1650 Black Road, Santa Maria, CA 93458-9733 |
| Greenhouse Size | 168 acres (8 million ft²) |
| Completion Year | 2011 |
| Primary Crops | Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers |
| Solar Capacity | 1 megawatt rooftop system |
| Certification | Non-GMO Project Verified |
Sustainability Innovations That Define Excellence
Windset Farms Santa Maria implements closed-loop water systems that collect, filter, treat, and recirculate 100% of irrigation drain water back to plants. After recirculation, water passes through de-nitrification wood chip biofilters that virtually eliminate all nitrates before being reused to irrigate nearby pasture crops.
- Water Conservation: Ultrafiltration, reverse-osmosis, and ozone treatment systems process irrigation water
- Energy Conservation: Thermal screens increase heat retention at night, reducing energy usage by up to 40%
- Renewable Energy: 1-megawatt rooftop solar system significantly reduces energy footprint
- CO₂ Recycling: 100% of CO₂ from on-site boilers is collected and fed to plants, increasing photosynthesis, quality, yield, and taste
In 2012, SoCalGas awarded Windset the largest energy efficiency incentive in the utility's 140-year history for its initiative to conserve energy and resources.
Product Portfolio and Year-Round Availability
The facility produces 8-10 sizes of tomatoes and four kinds each of cucumbers and peppers annually, all non-GMO verified. During winter months when most Western US peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes come from Mexico, Windset Santa Maria enables year-round local supply.
- Tomatoes: Cocktail, heirloom, beefsteak, and vine-ripened varieties
- Cucumbers: English, mini, pickling, and specialty varieties
- Peppers: Bell peppers in multiple colors, specialty peppers
- Specialty Produce: Bok choy, lettuce, eggplant, endive
All produce is handled with a gentle touch by dedicated greenhouse team members, ensuring premium quality from seed to fruit.
Integrated Pest Management and Food Safety
Windset utilizes natural predators (beneficial insects) to control harmful pest populations, eliminating the need for chemical pesticides. This integrated pest management approach aligns with sustainable growing practices maintained for over three decades.
Every greenhouse staff member receives extensive food safety training, with policies strictly enforced by all personnel contacting produce. Operations undergo independent third-party audits certifying sanitation, maintenance, employee training, and pest control programs meet food-safe standards.
Community Commitment and Social Accountability
As a family-owned operation, Windset maintains high respect for workforce health, safety, and well-being through regular social audits ensuring workplace safety, fair wages, clean facilities, and proper employee living conditions. The company supports Foodbank of Santa Barbara County among other community causes.
Windset Farms operates 260 acres of owned greenhouse space total across British Columbia and California, providing food grown close to home 365 days per year while reducing food miles and enhancing food security.
Why Windset Stands Out in the Produce Industry
Windset Farms Santa Maria combines record-breaking yields with sustainable non-lit cultivation, leveraging the Ultra-Clima greenhouse technology to transform growing environments from passive to active climate control. This approach controls heat, humidity, pressure, and air movement precisely, achieving what field farming cannot match in consistency or resource efficiency.
"We buy local to strengthen regional economies, support family farms, preserve the local landscape, and provide delicious fresh-from-the-farm foods for our customers."
The facility's strategic location in sunny California reduces transportation distances while maintaining year-round production capacity, positioning Windset as one of North America's largest sustainable suppliers of naturally grown produce.
Key concerns and solutions for Windset Farms Santa Maria The Scale Behind The Name
Where is Windset Farms Santa Maria located?
Windset Farms Santa Maria is located at 1650 Black Road, Santa Maria, CA 93458-9733, with contact number 314-2800.
What makes Windset Farms Santa Maria the largest greenhouse facility?
At 168 acres (8 million ft²), it is the largest single-site greenhouse vegetable facility in the United States and the world's largest Ultra-Clima greenhouse.
Does Windset Farms Santa Maria grow produce year-round?
Yes, the facility produces tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers year-round across 168 acres thanks to the Ultra-Clima greenhouse system and Santa Maria's unique growing climate.
Are Windset Farms products non-GMO?
Yes, all Windset Farms produce is Non-GMO Project verified, starting with premium non-GMO seedlings nurtured in pristine conditions.
What sustainability initiatives does Windset Farms Santa Maria use?
The facility uses a 1-megawatt rooftop solar system, recirculates 100% of irrigation water, collects 100% of CO₂ from boilers for plant enrichment, and implements thermal screens for energy conservation.
