From Conquerall Mills to Cuneo: Petite Rivière Farming Company Takes Its Greenhouse Global

In a greenhouse in Conquerall Mills, Petite Rivière Farming Company is growing something you might not expect to find on a rural South Shore farm: broccoli sprouts, harvested young and freeze-dried into a nutrient-rich powder.

The sprouts are prized for sulforaphane, a natural compound that early research suggests may have anti-inflammatory benefits. The company sells its powder online under the GoMicro brand, and this fall it put a small Lunenburg County greenhouse on an international stage.

A win in Italy

In April 2026, Petite Rivière Farming Company won Bridgewater’s local startup pitch competition, earning a place at the International Network of Michelin Cities (INMC) conference in Cuneo, Italy. In October, founder and CEO Gregg Curwin pitched against 11 other startups from five countries and took first place, along with a €5,000 prize and new connections with investors and partners overseas.

Earlier in the year, the company also attracted a $100,000 investment from Cape Breton Capital Group to help grow its product lines.

Experience that knows how to scale

Curwin is no newcomer to agri-tech. He previously founded the company that became GoodLeaf Farms, one of Canada’s best-known indoor vertical farming businesses. With Petite Rivière Farming Company, he chose to build in rural Nova Scotia, and he’s quick to credit the community around him.

“You’re not just a number. You just feel like you’ve got a community and a town behind you.”

His advice for other founders weighing where to set up is simple: “This is a place where you want to start a business.”

What’s next

The company is completing a new processing and packaging building and planning a larger greenhouse. Following the Italy win, it is exploring collaborations with other competitors, including opportunities in Germany.

It’s a reminder that farming in our region isn’t only about tradition. With room to grow, supportive neighbours and easy access to markets near and far, the South Shore is a place where new ideas in food can take root.

Find Petite Rivière Farming Company in our business directory, or shop GoMicro products at gomicro.ca. Thinking about starting a food or farm business here? Talk to our Economic Development team →