When Jay Willmot pitched his parents on an advanced automation system for the family’s farm, it was a hard sell. The technology, made by Finland-based Green Automation, was relatively new in Canada, and Kinghaven Farms was still better known for raising racehorses than growing vegetables. The family was also busy experimenting with new ventures, including honey hives.
After some convincing, Willmot’s bet on AI paid off. He and his brother have taken over daily operations running the farm in King City, Ont., from his parents. In early 2025, Willmot planted the first seeds in the automated greenhouse; today, the family farm’s subsidiary Haven Greens sells lettuce in stores like Costco Canada. As concerns over food sovereignty and produce safety grow, the farm’s locally grown lettuce, with minimal human and animal contact, has become a competitive advantage.
Willmot’s experience points to a broader challenge facing many Canadian businesses: pressure to invest in AI systems just as owners reach retirement age. Canadian farmers are now 56 years old on average. It could be a pivotal moment for a new generation of entrepreneurs to take up the mantle, he said.
“Farming families in particular in Canada, where you’ve got one or two generations…. the kids themselves are not always interested in taking on that business,” Willmot said. If the new generation sees traditional businesses as opportunities to implement leading-edge tech, he said, it could attract more young people to the industry.
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