Young Roots, Smart Growth: The Ridge Farms Story

Young Roots, Smart Growth: The Ridge Farms Story

In Kingsville, Ontario, Ridge Farms is more than a place where tomatoes grow. It is a story of tradition meeting transformation, of a new generation using innovation to reimagine what greenhouse farming can be.
 
At the center of that story is Emilio Mastranardi, the young owner and grower behind Ridge Farms. Raised among rows of beefsteak tomatoes, Emilio grew up learning the rhythm of the farm by working in the fields and the packing house. After earning a university degree in biology, he returned with a new perspective and one clear mission: to improve operations through smart, scalable technology.

A Vision Rooted in Data and Control

When Emilio stepped back into the family business, he quickly realized that traditional methods alone could no longer meet the demands of a modern greenhouse. Rising energy costs, labour efficiency, and crop performance were all challenges that needed precise solutions.
 
Emilio evaluated multiple systems and ultimately chose Priva to power the future of Ridge Farms. Priva now controls every critical system on the farm, from irrigation and heating to labour and climate monitoring. With the Priva Operator system, he has a complete, real-time overview of his operation, helping him monitor trends and make daily adjustments that keep his crops and business thriving.

Smarter Labour, Healthier Crops

For Emilio, efficient labour management is just as important as managing climate or energy use. That’s where the Priva FS labour system comes in. It allows the Ridge Farms team to track crop handling activities by zone, giving them the clarity they need to spot slowdowns, performance gaps, or areas that need extra support.
 
“Crop handling is really important,” Emilio explains. “With Priva’s labour system, we can see which zones are behind or need extra help. That allows us to make a tailored plan and respond faster to what’s happening in the crop day by day.”
 
Using labour data to make informed decisions not only improves productivity but also ensures each plant gets the attention it needs at the right time, boosting consistency and yield. 

Real-Time Alerts, Real-World Confidence

Greenhouses operate around the clock. Issues can arise at any time. That’s why Emilio relies heavily on the Priva Notification Center, a tool that delivers real-time alerts directly to his phone whenever something needs immediate attention.
 
“If my irrigation goes down, I get a notification with exactly what the issue is,” he says. “I couldn’t live without it now. It’s changed my life knowing that the system is actively monitoring the farm when I’m not there.”
 
From preventing crop loss to minimizing downtime, this kind of proactive monitoring has become a vital part of Ridge Farms’ daily operations.

A Partner Beyond Installation

What truly sets Priva apart, Emilio says, is the support that comes after installation. With access to a responsive help desk and trusted local dealers, Ridge Farms has the backup they need to keep systems running smoothly.
 
“There’s always someone I can call,” he says. “That level of support gave me confidence we were making the right choice.”

Growing the Future, Today

For Emilio, Priva is more than a tool. It is a strategic partner that helps him grow smarter, reduce waste, and build a more resilient farm.
 
“I couldn’t imagine Ridge Farms without Priva,” Emilio says. “Without it, the costs and inefficiencies would make it impossible to operate at this level.”
 
As a young grower leading a new chapter of the family business, Emilio is proof that innovation and tradition don’t have to be at odds. With the right technology and the right mindset, Ridge Farms is not only keeping up with the future of agriculture, it’s helping shape it.