Little Leaf Farms Names Industry Veteran Tim de Kok as New Chief Growing and R&D Officer

Little Leaf Farms Welcomes Tim de Kok as Chief Growing and R&D Officer

Little Leaf Farms, the leading producer of sustainably grown packaged lettuce in the United States, has recently announced the appointment of Tim de Kok as their Chief Growing and R&D Officer. With over 25 years of experience in managing high-tech greenhouse operations across North America, de Kok's wealth of knowledge and innovative approach are expected to play a crucial role in the company's future endeavors.

As a fourth-generation grower, de Kok has a deep-rooted connection to agriculture, having developed and scaled large-scale production systems for various vegetables and specialty crops in advanced greenhouse settings. His extensive career has equipped him with skills in overseeing multi-site operations and guiding teams across diverse climate zones, making him a valuable asset to Little Leaf Farms, especially as the company looks to expand.

Paul Sellew, the Founder and CEO of Little Leaf Farms, expressed his enthusiasm about de Kok's addition to the leadership team, stating, "Tim's deep growing expertise and proven ability to scale advanced production systems make him an invaluable addition to our leadership team. As we continue to expand, he will help ensure we maintain the highest standards of quality, consistency, and innovation while continuing our commitment to sustainable farming practices."

Recently, Little Leaf Farms opened a new greenhouse at its McAdoo, Pennsylvania site, which has positioned the facility as the largest leafy greens location globally. Furthermore, with the development of a new campus in Manchester, Tennessee, which aims to be operational later this year, the company is set to supply fresh greens to consumers in the Midwest, Southeast, and Texas.

With the announcement of this strategic appointment, Tim de Kok expressed excitement about joining Little Leaf Farms. He remarked, "Now is an exciting time to join Little Leaf Farms as the team prepares to expand with a new Tennessee greenhouse. I've known Paul for over 20 years and have long respected his vision and leadership. Little Leaf Farms has built something special, and I'm thrilled to be working alongside the team to help scale the business while continuing to set the standard for quality and innovation in controlled environment agriculture (CEA)."

In his new role, de Kok will not only oversee Little Leaf Farms' proprietary growing systems but also focus on optimizing crop performance to ensure that the company meets its long-term growth objectives. This is a significant move as Little Leaf Farms aims to transform the food system by growing healthier food more sustainably utilizing advanced greenhouse technologies.

At Little Leaf Farms, they harness the power of nature by utilizing captured rainwater, sunlight filtering through high-transmission glass, and solar energy to create an efficient growing environment. Their soil-less, hydroponic farming methods allow for a year-round supply of fresh, crispy baby greens that are harvested without any human touch, ensuring they meet the highest safety and quality standards, free from pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.

This appointment signals the company's ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability. With Tim de Kok's remarkable background and leadership skills, Little Leaf Farms is poised to further elevate its offerings in the marketplace, continuously meeting the demand for quality produce while adhering to environmentally conscious practices. For further information about Little Leaf Farms and their sustainability initiatives, visit littleleaffarms.com or follow them on social media at @littleleaffarms.