Imagine a farm that could grow its crops year-around and was uninhibited by diseases, pests, or extreme weather.

A Montreal-area company says it has done just that, with what it's calling the world's first commercial "cubic farm."

Located in the off-island suburb of Mirabel, Que., is Urban Barn's cubic farming operation.

The building's austere appearance masks the its lush interior, where more than 25 different types of microgreens and three types of lettuce are grown.

The company says its ideal conditions allow its produce to grow unimpeded, and thus does not require pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.

Inside, the temperature- and humidity-controlled facility is draped in a purple hue that comes from the combination of blue, red and white LED lights that shine down on the vegetation.

The crops are also atomically fed and watered on a timer.

Robyn Jackson, barn manager at Urban Barns, who is a self-proclaimed "old-time" dairy farmer, said the company's methods are better for the environment.

"It is way better than the field -- it's much cleaner," said Jackson.

"When you plant in the field, you're using too much water. We use about 10 per cent of the water that you would normally use in the field."

Urban Barn's website says it uses 94 per cent less water than "conventional farming methods."

Teodor Stefanescu, the company's production manager, says that he loves his job because of the positive impact the company is having on the planet.

In particular, Stefanescu emphasized the fact that Urban Barn has a lower carbon footprint because it can create produce that may not normally be available locally due to climate or other restrictions.

"Most lettuce you get is from California, especially this time of year, when the greenhouses start to go out of production in Quebec. So it has travelled 5,000 miles to get to your place," said Stefanescu.

The company says the building's protective environment allows it to reduce labour costs and create yields "up to 400 times" higher than traditional techniques.

Its Mirabel facility also relies on "off-grid" solar panels, wind turbines and dehumidification systems.

So far, Jackson says that the company's customers, predominately hotels and chefs, have bought into the idea.

"They get the concept – they love it," said Jackson.

Urban Barn's produce is harvested and shipped locally the same day.

"Every one of our chefs here in Montreal get it within two-to-four hours of being harvested, which I thik is absolutely incredible," said Greg Hough, head of business development and sales associate at the company.

The company is also building a new structure that is four times the size of their currently facility, allowing them to hold an additional 8,000 plants.

With a report from CTV Montreal's Aphrodite Salas