Energy-Efficient Winter Lettuce Farming in Berlin

Even on the coldest days of winter, they’re growing lots of lettuce at an energy-efficient greenhouse in Berlin, New Hampshire.

North Country Growers opened the facility in 2024, creating an eight-acre greenhouse with two acres of work hall as part of a ten-acre indoor farming operation. The greenhouse enables year-round production of lettuce and leafy greens despite the region’s cold climate, using advanced climate control to maintain an average temperature of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit nearly every day.

At full capacity, the facility grows more than 1.5 million lettuce plants at one time using hydroponic systems, where plants grow in pools of nutrient-rich water after being seeded in small pots. This method allows the greenhouse to produce the equivalent output of a 300-acre dirt farm within its indoor space.

The greenhouse has the capacity to produce more than 7 million pounds of lettuce annually, destined for grocery stores across the Northeast. The lettuce is used by State Garden in their Locally Known line, with company representative Kate Weiler noting that crunch is key to consumer appeal, particularly for varieties like romaine and butter lettuce grown at the facility.

The operation supports local food systems by reducing reliance on long-distance food transport and aligns with growing demand for environmentally responsible agriculture. Berlin, New Hampshire was selected for the greenhouse due to its climate being conducive to growing crunchy lettuce varieties.

As of January 2026, the greenhouse continues to operate year-round, providing fresh, crisp lettuce even during the coldest and snowiest days of winter in northern New England.