The San Benito Blueprint

Hippo Harvest, an organic greens AgTech startup, has filed a building application for facilities at the corner of Frazier Lake and Shore Roads. Hippo Harvest, based out of Pescadero, uses controlled environment agriculture, robotics, and AI, to focus on growing sustainably while remaining affordable.

The application is broken down into three phases, the first phase include utilities, a 30 foot high 25,920 square foot agricultural processing facility and about 40 hoop houses (or about 4 acres), parking lot, and access from both Frazier Lake and Shore Roads.

The processing facility will include dedicated areas for seeding, germination, harvesting, cleaning, packaging, and shipping of produce. The facility will also include offices, break rooms, robotic workshops, labs, lockers, meeting and conference rooms.

From Hippo Harvest’s Use Permit Application:

This proposed development aims not only to significantly contribute to local economic growth by generating employment but also to align closely with regional agricultural policies promoting sustainable agricultural practices and technological innovation.

Future phases include expanding greenhouse facilities to 8 acres, then 16 acres, and expanding the processing facility to 45,000 square feet. Initially the project will employ 30 workers, eventually expanding to 75 to 100 workers. The project expects to operate between 6am and 8pm with about 10 outbound truck shipments per day. Phase 1 is expected to be completed in early 2026 with the final phase completed sometime in 2028.

Stay tuned for more!