RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES INC/
SB-2/A, 1998-02-20
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION-CROPS
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1998
                                                      Registration No. 333-



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                   ----------

   
                                Amendment No. 1
                                       to
                                    Form SB-2
    

             Registration Statement Under The Securities Act of 1933

                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          ----------------------------
       (Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

     Delaware                        0100                      84-1342754
     --------                        ----                      ----------
(State or Jurisdiction     (Primary Standard Industrial      (IRS Employer
of Incorporation or         Classification Code Number)  Identification Number)
  Organization)             


                                            Stanley Abrams
                                            President
                                            Ripe Touch Greenhouses, Inc.
       4871 N. Mesa Drive                   4871 N. Mesa Drive
       Castle Rock, Colorado 80104          Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
       (303) 688-9805                       (303) 688-9805
- --------------------------------------     ------------------------------------
(Address and telephone number of          (Name, address and telephone number of
 principal executive offices and                    agent for service)
   principal place of business)          

                                   Copies to:

   David H. Lieberman, Esq.                   Michael Beckman, Esq.
   Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.    Beckman, Millman and Sanders, P.C.
   100 Jericho Quadrangle, Suite 225          116 John Street
   Jericho, New York 11753                    New York, New York 10038
   (516) 822-4820                             (212) 227-6777
   (516) 822-4824 Fax                         (212) 227-1486 Fax

Approximate  date of  commencement  of proposed  sale to the public:  As soon as
practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the Securities Act registration statement for the same offering.
[   ]_______________

If this Form is a  post-effective  amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following
box and list the Securities  Act  registration  statement  number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.
[   ]_______________

If delivery  of the  prospectus  is  expected  to be made  pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box [X].

<PAGE>


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=============================================================================================================
                                                     Proposed          Proposed Maximum
  Title of Each Class of          Amount to be   Maximum Offering     Aggregate Offering        Amount of
Securities to be Registered       Registered(1)  Price Per Security        Price (1)         Registration Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             
<S>                                  <C>              <C>                  <C>                   <C> 
   
Common Stock, $.001 par value(2)     825,500          $6.00                $4,953,000                  $1,461
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Warrants(3)                  825,500           $.20                  $165,100                     $49
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.001 par value,
underlying Class A Warrants(4)(9)    825,500          $6.00                $4,953,000                  $1,461
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative's Securities          125,000          $.001                      $125                    --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.001 par value
contained in Representative's
Securities (6)(9)                    125,000          $7.20                  $900,000                    $266
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Warrants contained in
Representative's Securities(6)(9)    125,000           $.26                   $32,500                     $10
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.001 par value
underlying Class A Warrants
contained in Representative's
Securities (7)(9)                    125,000          $7.20                  $900,000                    $266
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.001 par value,
owned by Selling
Securityholders (8)(9)               316,500          $6.00                $1,899,000                    $560     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    
   
Total                                                                     $13,802,725                  $4,073 *
                                                        -                 ===========                  ======
*Previously paid
    

=============================================================================================================
<FN>
(1)  Estimated  solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
     to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(2)  Includes up to 123,750 shares of Common Stock which may be purchased by the
     Representative to cover over-allotments, if any.
(3)  Includes up to 123,750  redeemable  Common Stock Class A Purchase  Warrants
     which may be purchased by the Representative to cover  over-allotments,  if
     any.
(4)  Reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Common Stock Purchase Warrants.
(5)  Issued to the  Representative  entitling the Representative to purchase one
     share of Common Stock  ("Representative's  Stock  Warrants") and one Common
     Stock Class A Purchase Warrant  ("Representative's  Warrants") for each ten
     of such securities sold in the offering.
(6)  Reserved for issuance upon exercise of Representative's Securities.
(7)  Reserved  for  issuance  upon  exercise  of  the  Warrants  underlying  the
     Representative's Warrants.
(8)  Represents shares of Common Stock offered by Selling Securityholders.
(9)  Pursuant  to Rule  416,  there is also  being  registered  such  additional
     securities as may become issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution  provisions
     of the Warrants.
</FN>
</TABLE>


 The Registrant hereby amends this Registration  Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant  shall file
a further amendment which specifically  states that this Registration  Statement
shall  thereafter  become  effective  in  accordance  with  Section  8(a) of the
Securities  Act of  1933  or  until  the  Registration  Statement  shall  become
effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.

<PAGE>



<PAGE>
   
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 20, 1998
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
    

                                  825,000 Units

     Ripe Touch  Greenhouses,  Inc. (the "Company"),  a Delaware  corporation is
offering 825,000 units (the "Units").  Each Unit consists of one share of common
stock (the "Common  Stock"),  $.001 par value,  and one Redeemable  Common Stock
Class A Purchase  Warrant  (the " Warrants" or "Class A  Warrants").  The Common
Stock and the Class A Warrants  comprising  each Unit will not trade  separately
from the Unit  until  the  earlier  of  ninety  (90)  days from the date of this
Prospectus or the determination by Millennium  Securities Corp.  ("Millennium"),
in its sole  discretion,  to  permit  such  separate  trading.  At the time such
separate  trading is permitted,  the Units may be delisted from separate trading
on the Nasdaq Small Cap Stock Market. See "Description of Securities."

     The Class A Warrants  shall be  exercisable  commencing on the date of this
Prospectus.  Each Class A Warrant  entitles  the holder to purchase one share of
Common Stock,  at $10.00 per share,  during the three year period  commencing on
the date of this  Prospectus.  See "Description of Securities." The Warrants are
redeemable  by the Company,  for $.01 per Warrant,  on not less than thirty (30)
nor more than sixty (60) days' written  notice if the average  closing bid price
per share of Common Stock is at least $12.00 per share during a period of twenty
(20) consecutive trading days ending not earlier than three (3) days on the date
the Warrants are called for  redemption.  Any redemption of the Warrants  during
the one year period  commencing on the date of this Prospectus shall require the
consent of Millennium. See "Description of Securities."

     Prior to this  offering,  there has been no public  market  for the  Units,
Common  Stock or  Warrants.  The price of the Units,  Common  Stock and exercise
price of the Warrants have been determined by  negotiations  between the Company
and Millennium Securities Corp. For additional information regarding the factors
considered   in   determining   the  initial   public   offering   prices,   see
"Underwriting".

    The Company has applied for  quotation  of the Units,  Common  Stock and the
Warrants on the Nasdaq  SmallCap  Stock Market.  There can be no assurance  that
these  securities  will be approved for listing or, if approved,  that an active
trading market will develop. See "Risk Factors".

    The registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part also covers
the  offering of an aggregate  of 316,500  shares of Common Stock (the  "Private
Placement  Shares") owned by certain private placement  investors  (collectively
referred   to   as   the   "Private   Placement   Lenders"   or   the   "Selling
Securityholders").  See  "Selling  Securityholders".  The shares of Common Stock
owned by certain of the Selling  Security  Holders and registered  hereunder may
not be sold or  transferred  for  twenty-four  (24) months from the date of this
Prospectus,   subject  to  earlier   release  at  the  sole  discretion  of  the
Representative. See "Selling Securityholders" and "Description of Securities."

    AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF
 RISK AND IMMEDIATE SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY. SEE
                "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 7 AND "DILUTION" PAGE 13.
                        -------------------------------
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR
  ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
      PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================================================================================
            Price to Public    Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1)   Proceeds to Company (2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>           <C>                             <C>                              <C>  
 Per Unit       $6.20                           $.62                              $5.58
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total       $5,115,000                      $511,500                         $4,603,500
==================================================================================================
<PAGE>

<FN>
(1)  Does  not   include   additional   compensation   to  be  received  by  the
     Representative  in the form of (i) a  non-accountable  expense allowance of
     three percent of the gross  proceeds of this Offering  ($153,450) and (b) a
     Security,  purchasable at a nominal  price,  giving it the right to acquire
     125,000  Units  at an  initial  exercise  price  of  $8.06  per  Unit  (the
     "Representative's Purchase Option"). In addition, the Company has agreed to
     indemnify  the   Underwriters   against  certain   liabilities,   including
     liabilities  under the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") See
     "Underwriting."
(2)  Before deducting other offering  expenses payable by the Company  estimated
     at  $500,000,   including  the  Representative's   non-accountable  expense
     allowance   in  the  amount  of  $153,450.   See  "Use  of  Proceeds"   and
     "Underwriting".
(3)  For the  purpose of  covering  over-allotments,  if any,  the  Company  has
     granted to the Representative an option, exercisable within forty-five days
     of the date hereof, to purchase an additional  123,750 Units, upon the same
     terms and conditions as the Units offered  hereby.  If such  over-allotment
     option is exercised in full,  the Total Price to Public will be $5,882,250,
     the Total Underwriting  Discount will be $588,225 and the Total Proceeds to
     the Company will be $5,294,025. See "Underwriting."
</FN>
</TABLE>
    The securities are offered,  subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted
by the  Representative  named  herein and subject to  approval of certain  legal
matters by counsel for the  Representative.  It is expected that the delivery of
the certificates  representing Common Stock and Class A Warrants will be made on
or about ______, 1998 at the offices of Millennium Securities Corp.

                           MILLENNIUM SECURITIES CORP.
                The date of this Prospectus is             , 1998

<PAGE>













                     [Photographs of the Company's project)





CERTAIN PERSONS  PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS  THAT
STABILIZE,  MAINTAIN , OR OTHERWISE  EFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AND/OR
THE  CLASS  A  WARRANTS,   INCLUDING   OVER-ALLOTMENT   AND  OTHER   STABILIZING
TRANSACTIONS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING".


     The  Company  intends to furnish  its  shareholders  and holders of Class A
Warrants with annual reports containing audited financial  statements,  examined
by an independent  public  accounting  firm, and such interim  reports as it may
determine to furnish or as may be required by law.


<PAGE>




                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     The  following  summary is qualified  in its entirety by the more  detailed
information  and financial  statements,  including the notes thereto,  appearing
elsewhere in this  Prospectus.  Unless otherwise  indicated,  the information in
this  Prospectus  does not give  effect to the  exercise  of the  over-allotment
option  described  under  "Underwriting"  or the exercise of any other  options,
warrants or other convertible  securities.  All references herein to the Company
include  its  predecessor  unless the  context  otherwise  requires.  Except for
historical  information contained in this Prospectus,  the matters discussed are
forward  looking  statements  that involve  risks and  uncertainties.  Among the
factors that could cause actual results to differ  materially are the following:
the effect of  business  and  economic  conditions;  the  impact of  competitive
products and pricing;  capacity and supply constraints or difficulties;  product
development, commercialization or technological difficulties; and the regulatory
and trade environment.

The Company

     Ripe Touch  Greenhouses,  Inc. (the "Company") has been formed to construct
and operate  greenhouses  in the United  States for the  production  and sale of
hydroponic,  naturally vine ripened tomatoes. The first proposed greenhouse will
be located on 200 acres of land in Colorado.  This  facility  will be powered by
three 1,000HP Thermal  Combustors to be purchased from an affiliated party using
alternate fuel sources,  such as used tires.  The  combustors  will generate the
heat for the greenhouse as well as the steam necessary to produce five megawatts
of electricity.  In addition to revenues from the sale of tomatoes,  the Company
anticipates  receiving revenue from the sale of electricity  generated in excess
of the greenhouse  requirements  and the sale of recyclables  created during the
generation of  electricity,  including  carbon black.  The  construction  of the
Colorado  greenhouse  and power  generation  facility is intended to be financed
through a  construction  loan in the amount of  $14,000,000  (the  "Construction
Loan")  with  Heritage  Financial  Corporation  and the  sale  of  approximately
$4,103,500  (net) of common  stock and  warrants in an initial  public  offering
under applicable federal and state securities laws.

   
     The  Colorado  project  intends to employ the  services of several  outside
professional  groups.  The Company has entered  into an  agreement  with Village
Farms of Colorado, Inc. ("Village Farms"), which operates greenhouses throughout
the  United  States to design  and manage  the  construction  of the  greenhouse
facility  as well as  manage,  grow and  sell  the  tomatoes.  Tri  State  Power
Generation Company has entered into a thirty (30) year electrical power contract
with the Company wherein they will be purchasing the electricity  generated from
the Company's power generation facility. Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation
has completed  their due  diligence  study and will be acting as a consultant to
oversee an engineered  procurement  contract ("EPC") to guarantee the successful
construction and completion of the greenhouse,  both on time and on budget.  The
Company is compiling bids from various  vendors and  anticipates  finalizing the
EPC by December 31, 1997. For its initial energy source, the Company has entered
into  agreements   with  (i)  El  Paso  County,   Colorado  for  the  supply  of
approximately  2,000,000  tires  per year and (ii)  with  Dave  Mehring,  a tire
broker,  to provide an  additional  2,000,000  used tires  annually  to fuel the
Thermal Combustors.
    

     The  Company  was  incorporated  under the laws of the State of Delaware on
October 26, 1995.  The Company's  executive  offices are located at 4871 N. Mesa
Drive, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104 and its telephone number is (303) 688-9805.

     See  "Risk  Factors",   "Management"  and  "Certain   Transactions"  for  a
discussion  of certain  factors  that should be  considered  in  evaluating  the
Company and its business.




<PAGE>




                                  THE OFFERING


<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>
Securities Offered by the Company(1)
 Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . .     825,000 shares
 Warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . .     825,000 warrants
Price Per Share of Common Stock . .     $6.00
Price Per Warrant . . . . . . . . .     $0.20
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding 
 After Offering (2)(3). . . . . . .     4,663,750 Shares
Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . .     For repayment of notes issued in private
                                        placements, for construction of the greenhouse,
                                        purchase of machinery, and for working capital
                                        and general corporate purposes.  See "Use of
                                        Proceeds".
Proposed Nasdaq Small Cap Stock 
 Market Symbols (4)
  Common Stock. . . . . . . . . . .     RTGI
  Warrants. . . . . . . . . . . . .     RTGIW
Risk Factors. . . . . . . . . . . .     Purchase of securities being offered hereby
                                        involves a significant degree of risk, including
                                        intense competition, rapid growth, and dependence
                                        on key personnel, among others.  See "Risk
                                        Factors".
- -----------------
<FN>
(1)       Does not include  (a)  316,500  Private  Placement  Shares  offered by
          Selling Securityholders,  which securities were acquired in connection
          with a private  placement  financing  of the  Company  from  September
          through  December  1996  and in May  through  October  1997,  and  (b)
          3,489,750 shares of Common Stock owned by the Investors.  See "Selling
          Securityholders".
(2)       Assumes no exercise of: (i) the Representative's over-allotment option
          to purchase up to 123,750  shares of Common Stock and 123,750  Class A
          Warrants;  (ii)  the  Class  A  Warrants  offered  hereby;  (iii)  the
          Representative's  Purchase  Option to purchase up to 125,000 shares of
          Common Stock and 125,000  Class A Warrants;  (iv) the Class A Warrants
          purchasable   by   the    Representative    upon   exercise   of   the
          Representative's  Purchase Option;  and (v) options issuable under the
          Company's  1996  Long  Term  Incentive   Plan.  See   "Description  of
          Securities and "Underwriting".
(3)       See "Dilution".
(4)       Although  the Company  will be applying  for initial  quotation of the
          Common Stock and Class A Warrants on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, there
          can be no  assurance  that the Company  will be  approved  for listing
          these securities or, if approved,  that it will be able to continue to
          meet the requirements for continued quotation or that a public trading
          market will develop or be  sustained.  See "Risk  Factors - Absence of
          Public Market; Negotiated Offering Price".
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>




                          SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  The following summary financial information concerning the Company, other than
the as  adjusted  balance  sheet  data,  has been  derived  from  the  financial
statements  included  elsewhere  in  this  Prospectus  and  should  be  read  in
conjunction with such financial statements and the notes thereto. See "Financial
Statements".

Balance Sheet Data:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      September 30,        December              December
                                                           1997             31, 1996              31, 1995
                                                       ------------         ----------            -------- 
 
<S>                                                     <C>                 <C>                    <C>    
Total assets                                            $1,550,634          $1,075,145             $98,224
Current liabilities                                      2,092,160           1,466,248             257,641
Long-term liabilities net of current
    portion                                                223,930              16,646                  -
Stockholders' equity (deficit)                            (765,456)           (407,749)           (159,417)


Statement of Operations Data:


                                                        Nine Months          Fiscal Year        Nine Months
                                                           Ended                Ended              Ended
                                                       September 30,           December           December
                                                           1997                31, 1996           31, 1995
                                                       -------------         -----------        -----------
Net sales                                                  132,786                -                   -
Net loss                                                  (716,708)           (708,434)           (162,417)
Loss per Common Share                                      (.18848)            (.20235)            (.05414)
Common Shares Outstanding                                3,802,500           3,501,000           3,000,000
</TABLE>



<PAGE>


                                  RISK FACTORS

     The securities  offered hereby are speculative and involve a high degree of
risk.  Only those persons able to lose their entire  investment  should purchase
these securities. Prospective investors, prior to making an investment decision,
should  carefully read this  prospectus  and consider,  along with other matters
referred to herein, the following risk factors:


     Need for Additional Financing;  Uncertainty of Initial Public Offering. The
Company  anticipates  that the  proceeds  of this  offering  will  enable  it to
initiate preliminary activities to prepare for the construction and operation of
greenhouses.  However, the Company will require approximately  $16,700,000 gross
proceeds  to  construct   and  commence   operations  of  its   greenhouse   and
co-generation  facility.  In addition  to the  proceeds  of this  offering,  the
Company has secured an agreement with a lending  institution to loan the Company
approximately   $15,000,000  the   "Construction   Loan".  The  funding  of  the
Construction  Loan would be concurrently with and contingent upon the completion
of this  offering,  and is  dependent,  among  other  things,  upon the  lending
institution  reaching agreement with Stone & Webster  Engineering  Company or an
alternative suitable party on the construction contract,  including the lender's
liquidated damage requirements.

   
     No Operating History; Dependence on Outside Contractors. The Company has no
operating  history in the  greenhouse  or  cogeneration  industries  and will be
dependent on Village Farms to operate the  greenhouse.  Although the Company has
entered  into a ten year lease  arrangement  with  Village  Farms,  in the event
Village  Farms ceases to operate the  greenhouse  on behalf of the Company,  the
Company  will  be  required  to hire  personnel  experienced  in the  operation,
management  and marketing of the  greenhouse  and there is no assurance  that it
will be successful in attracting such personnel. The loss of services of Village
Farms could likely have a material adverse effect on the Company.
    

     Development  Stage Company.  The Company may be deemed a development  stage
business.  The Company is subject to all the general risks  inherent in, and the
problems,   expenses,   difficulties,   complications   and  delays   frequently
encountered in connection with establishing any new business and operations. The
Company is currently  operating with inadequate working capital and is dependent
on the proceeds of this offering, the Construction Loan, and the IPO to commence
and maintain operations.  There is no assurance that the Company, even with such
funds, will successfully  commence  operations or maintain operations at a level
sufficient  for an investor to obtain a return on the shares of Common  Stock or
Class A Warrants.

     Price  Fluctuations  in U.S.  Market for  Tomatoes.  The price of  tomatoes
fluctuates from season to season based on supply and demand. The wholesale price
of homegrown tomatoes is substantially higher in the fall and winter months when
there is a shortage of premium  tomatoes.  There is no  assurance  that the U.S.
market  will  provide   sufficient  revenue  and  earnings  to  permit  on-going
operations or that the Company will be able to successfully  penetrate  existing
non-U.S. markets for these products. There is no assurance the Company will ever
generate sufficient revenue to meet on-going cash requirements.

     Availability  of Raw  Materials  for Providing  Heat and  Electricity.  The
primary  raw  materials  anticipated  by the  Company to be used in its  thermal

<PAGE>

combustion  operations are previously  used rubber tires and water.  The Company
believes that suitable previously used rubber tires are readily available from a
wide variety of sources,  including El Paso County,  Colorado, who has agreed to
provide 2,000,000 tires per year and a tire broker who has agreed to provide the
approximately 2,000,000 tires needed each year to operate the Thermal Combustor.
While the Company does not anticipate any  difficulties in obtaining  sufficient
quantities of used rubber tires to be used in its  operations,  no assurance can
be given in this regard. In the event that sufficient quantities of rubber tires
are not  available,  or if the prices  thereof  become  uneconomical  and in the
further event that the Company does not find suitable  alternative fuel sources,
the Company's  business  operations and financial  condition would be materially
adversely affected. See "Business-Raw Materials".

     Default under Existing Note  Obligations.  The Company's  outstanding  note
obligations  with  respect  to  its  initial  bridge  financing  in  the  sum of
$1,062,500 were due and payable on September 30, 1997. The Company has requested
in writing  that the  noteholders  extend the due date to January 31,  1998.  To
date,  noteholders owing $675,000 principal amount of the notes have so extended
the due date. In the event the remaining  noteholders do not extend the due date
and demand  payment,  the Company  does not have  sufficient  funds to make such
payment.  The failure to make  payment,  if payment is demanded by  noteholders,
could  substantially  impair the ability of the Company to proceed with a public
offering.

     Competition.  There are a limited number of hydroponic  greenhouse tomatoes
grown in the United States,  there are numerous  farmers and/or  distributors of
tomatoes.  The tomato market is quite mature,  and is serviced by a large number
of  competitors,   several  of  which  dominate  the  marketplace.  The  Company
anticipates  that its primary  competition  will be from  greenhouse  growers in
California and Florida where growing  conditions are favorable and whose growers
have access to extensive  highway  systems and  inexpensive  fuel. Many of these
competitors,   which  include   Campbell's  Soup,  Archer  Daniels  Midland  and
Weyerhauser  have been in existence  for many years,  have  extensive  marketing
budgets,   established  market  shares,   wide  name  recognition  and  existing
franchise,  dealer or other  distribution  networks and have greater  financial,
personnel  and  administrative  resources  than the  Company.  The Company  also
anticipates  competition from premium tomato growers in Holland and Israel which
are  imported  for  domestic  use.  If the  Company is  successful,  there is no
assurance  that other U.S. or foreign  tomato growers will not seek to engage in
the growing of hydroponic  greenhouse tomatoes.  While the Company believes that
the primary area of competition in its industry is quality, and that it competes
favorably in this regard, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to
compete successfully against established  producers or any new entrants into its
industry or that consumers will differentiate between the Company's tomatoes and
its competitors tomatoes. See "Business-Competition".

     No  Assurance  of  Profitability.  The  Company is  non-operational  at the
present  time.  Although  the  Company  believes  that  its  operations  will be
successful,  and that the Company will become  profitable,  no assurance  can be
given in this regard.

     Environmental and Other  Governmental  Regulation.  As a producer of power,
the Company is subject to federal,  state and local rules and  regulations.  The
Company's  commencement  of operations  will be dependent  upon it obtaining all
necessary  permits and  approvals  from  federal,  state and local  governmental
authorities. Although the Company believes it has all requisite permits and does
not  anticipate  any  difficulty  or delays in  obtaining  any future  necessary
permits or approvals,  no assurance can be given in this regard.  If the Company
were to experience  significant delays in or denials of any necessary permits or
approvals, the commencement and maintenance of the Company's proposed greenhouse
operations  could be delayed  or  suspended,  and its  business  and  results of
operations would be materially  adversely  affected.  While the Company believes
that its combustion  operations  will comply with all  applicable  environmental
laws  and   regulations,   no  assurance  can  be  given  that  compliance  with

<PAGE>

environmental laws, regulations or other restrictions, including any new laws or
regulations,  will not  impose  additional  costs  on the  Company  which  could
adversely  affect its  financial  performance  and  results of  operations.  See
"Business-Government Regulation".

     Discretion  In  Application  of  Proceeds.  Management  of the  Company has
certain  discretion  over the use and  expenditure  of a significant  portion of
proceeds of this offering.  The Company  intends to use the funds raised in this
offering  for  the   construction  of  the   greenhouse,   construction  of  the
cogenerator,  repayment  of  indebtedness,  and for working  capital and general
corporate  purposes.  Although the Company does not  contemplate  changes in the
allocated use of proceeds, to the extent the Company finds changes are necessary
or appropriate in order to address changed  circumstances and/or  opportunities,
management  may find it  necessary to adjust the use of the  Company's  capital,
including  the  proceeds of this  offering.  As a result of the  foregoing,  the
success of the Company may be  substantially  dependent  upon the discretion and
judgment of the  management of the Company with respect to the  application  and
allocation of the net proceeds hereof. See "Use of Proceeds".

     Possible  Need for  Additional  Financing.  The Company  believes  that its
existing capital resources,  together with the proceeds of this offering and the
Construction Loan, will enable it to maintain its operations and working capital
requirements  for at least the next  twelve  (12)  months,  without  taking into
account any internally generated funds from operations. However, the Company may
require  additional  funds  thereafter  to  maintain  or expand its  operations.
Adequate  funds for this  purpose on terms  favorable  to the  Company,  whether
through equity financing, debt financing, or other sources, may not be available
when needed.  The Company's  inability to obtain adequate financing could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.

     No Credit  Facility.  The Company has no credit facility or other access to
debt financing,  other than the Construction  Loan.  Accordingly,  the Company's
business could be materially  adversely affected in the event that it has a need
for funds that it may not be able to obtain through a debt or equity financing.

     Product Liability. The Company's business exposes it to potential liability
which is  inherent in the  marketing  and  distribution  of food  products.  The
Company maintains  $5,000,000 of general and personal injury  insurance.  If any
product  liability  claim is made and  sustained  against the Company and is not
covered by insurance,  the Company's  business and prospects could be materially
adversely affected. See "Business-Product Liability".

     Control by Present  Stockholders.  As of the date of this  Prospectus,  the
current   officers  and  directors  (the  "Management   Stockholders")   and  5%
stockholders own a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and, after
completion of this offering,  will own 60% of the  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock.  Accordingly,  although there are no relationships or agreements  between
the non-officer 5% stockholders and the Company, these stockholders will be able
to significantly influence the election of the Company's directors, any increase
in the Company's authorized and outstanding capital stock and the other policies
of the Company. See "Principal Stockholders".

     Dependence on Key Personnel.  The Company's  business  expansion  plans are
dependent in part upon the abilities of Stanley Abrams, its President, and James
Woodley,  its  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  Although  each of Mr.  Abrams and Mr.
Woodley have entered into employment  agreements with the Company,  there can be
no  assurance  that they will  remain in the  employ of or  continue  to provide
services to the Company.  The loss of the services of such persons could have an
adverse effect on the Company. The Company maintains a $1,000,000 life insurance
policy with  respect to the life of Stanley  Abrams,  the  proceeds of which are
payable to the Company. See "Management - Employment Agreements".
<PAGE>

     Absence of Public Market; Negotiated Offering Price. Prior to the offering,
there has been no market for the Common Stock or Class A Warrants.  Although the
Company anticipates that upon completion of this offering,  the Common Stock and
Class A Warrants will be approved for quotation on the Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market,
there can be no assurance that these  securities  will be approved for quotation
or, if approved,  that an active market will develop for the Common Stock or the
Class A Warrants or, if developed,  that it can be maintained.  In addition, the
Common Stock and Class A Warrants will be  separately  traded  immediately.  The
initial public  offering price of the Common Stock and the exercise price of the
Class A Warrants have been  established by negotiations  between the Company and
the  Representative  and  will not  necessarily  bear  any  relationship  to the
Company's book value, assets, past operating results,  financial  condition,  or
other established criteria of value. See "Underwriting".

     Dependence  of Warrant  Holders  on  Maintenance  of  Current  Registration
Statement; Possible Loss of Value of Warrants. In order for holders of the Class
A Warrants  to  exercise  such  warrants  there  must be a current  registration
statement (or an exemption therefrom) in effect with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  ("Commission") and with the various state securities  authorities in
the States where warrant holders  reside.  The Company has undertaken to use its
best efforts to keep (and intends to keep) the registration  statement effective
with respect to the Class A Warrants for as long as the Class A Warrants  remain
exercisable.  However,  maintenance of an effective  registration statement will
subject the Company to substantial  continuing expenses for legal and accounting
fees,  and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain a
current  registration  statement  through  the period  during  which the Class A
Warrants remain exercisable.  The Class A Warrants may become  unexercisable and
deprived  of  value  by  the  Company's   inability  to  maintain  an  effective
registration   statement  (or  an  exemption  therefrom)  with  respect  to  the
underlying  shares or by the  non-qualification  of the underlying shares in the
jurisdiction of such holder's residence. See "Description of Securities -- Class
A Warrants".

     Potential  Adverse  Effect of Redemption  of Class A Warrants.  The Class A
Warrants may be redeemed by the Company at a price of $.01 per  warrant,  at any
time,  on not less than  thirty  (30) days' nor more than sixty (60) days' prior
written  notice  provided that the closing bid price of the Common Stock for all
twenty (20) consecutive  trading days ending within three (3) days of the notice
of  redemption  has equaled or exceeded  $12.00 and  further  provided  that any
redemption  during the one year period commencing on the date of this Prospectus
shall  require  the  consent of the  Representative.  Redemption  of the Class A
Warrants could force the warrant holders to exercise the warrants at a time when
it may be  disadvantageous  for  the  holders  to do so or to sell  the  Class A
Warrants at their then  current  market price when the holders  might  otherwise
wish to hold the Class A Warrants for possible appreciation.  Any holders who do
not exercise  warrants prior to their expiration or redemption,  as the case may
be, will forfeit the right to purchase the shares of Common Stock underlying the
Class A Warrants. See "Description of Securities -- Class A Warrants".

     Substantial and Immediate Dilution.  Purchasers of the Common Stock offered
hereby will incur immediate  substantial dilution in the net tangible book value
of approximately  $5.44 per share. The present  shareholders of the Company have
acquired their  respective  equity interests at a cost  substantially  below the
offering price.  Accordingly,  the public investors will bear a disproportionate
risk of loss per share. See "Dilution".
<PAGE>

     No Dividends on Common  Stock.  The Company has never  declared or paid any
dividends  on its shares of Common  Stock.  The  Company  intends to utilize its
earnings,  if  any,  to  facilitate  the  expansion  of  its  business  for  the
foreseeable  future.  Accordingly,  it has no  intention  of declaring or paying
dividends on its Common Stock for the foreseeable future. See "Dividend Policy".

     Possible  Dilutive  Effect  of  the  Issuance  of  Substantial  Amounts  of
Additional Shares Without Stockholder Approval. After this offering, the Company
will have an  aggregate  of  approximately  3,761,250  shares  of  Common  Stock
authorized  but  unissued  and not  reserved  for  specific  purposes  including
1,575,000 shares of Common Stock unissued but reserved for issuance  pursuant to
(i) exercise of the Class A Warrants,  (ii) the  Company's  Long Term  Incentive
Plan, (iii) exercise of the  Representative's  Purchase Option, and (v) exercise
of the Representative's  over-allotment option. All of such shares may be issued
without any action or approval by the Company's shareholders.  Any shares issued
would  further  dilute  the  percentage  ownership  of the  Company  held by the
investors  in this  offering.  The  terms  on which  the  Company  could  obtain
additional capital during the life of these securities may be adversely affected
because of such  potential  dilution  and because the holders  thereof  might be
expected to convert or  exercise  them if the market  price of the Common  Stock
exceeds their  conversion or exercise  price.  See  "Description of Securities",
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Underwriting".

    Potential   Anti-Takeover   Effects  of  Delaware  Law  and  Certificate  of
Incorporation;  Possible  Issuances of Preferred  Stock.  Certain  provisions of
Delaware law and the Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation  and By-laws could
make more  difficult  a merger,  tender  offer or proxy  contest  involving  the
Company,  even if such  events  could  be  beneficial  to the  interests  of the
shareholders.  These  provisions  include  Section 203 of the  Delaware  General
Corporation  Law, the  classification  of the Company's  Board of Directors into
three  classes  and the  requirement  that 66  2/3% of the  stockholders  of the
Company entitled to vote thereon approve certain transactions, including mergers
and sales or  transfers of all or  substantially  all the assets of the Company.
Such provisions could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to
pay in the future for shares of the Company's  Common Stock or preferred  stock.
In addition,  the Company's Certificate of Incorporation allows for the issuance
of up to 500,000  shares of preferred  stock by the Board of  Directors  without
shareholder approval on such terms as the Board may determine. The rights of the
holders of Common  Stock and  preferred  stock  will be  subject  to, and may be
adversely  affected by, the rights of the holders of additional or other classes
of  preferred  stock that may be issued in the future.  Moreover,  although  the
ability to issue other  classes of preferred  stock may provide  flexibility  in
connection  with  possible  acquisitions  and  other  corporate  purposes,  such
issuance  may  make it more  difficult  for a third  party  to  acquire,  or may
discourage a third party from  acquiring,  a majority of the voting stock of the
Company.  The  Company has not issued any shares of  preferred  stock and has no
current  plans to issue any shares of any classes of capital stock other than as
described herein. See "Description of Capital Stock".

    Limitations on Personal Liability of Directors. The Company's Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws contain provisions which reduce the potential personal
liability of directors for certain monetary damages and provide for indemnity of
directors and other persons. The Company is unaware of any pending or threatened
litigation  against  the  Company  or its  directors  that  would  result in any
liability  for  which  such  director  would  seek  indemnification  or  similar
protection. The Company has entered into Indemnification Agreements with certain
of its  officers  and  directors.  The  Indemnification  Agreements  provide for
reimbursement for all direct and indirect costs of any type or nature whatsoever
(including  attorneys' fees and related  disbursements)  actually and reasonably
incurred in  connection  with either the  investigation,  defense or appeal of a
Proceeding, (as defined) including amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of
an indemnitee thereunder.
<PAGE>

    Penny Stock  Regulation.  The  Commission  has adopted  rules that  regulate
broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in "penny stocks." Penny
stocks  generally are equity  securities  with a price of less than $5.00 (other
than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on
the NASDAQ  system,  provided  that current  price and volume  information  with
respect to  transactions  in such  securities  is  provided  by the  exchange or
system).  The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer,  prior to a transaction
in a penny stock not otherwise  exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized
risk disclosure document prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission that
provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the
penny stock market.  The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with other
information.  In  addition,  the  penny  stock  rules  require  that  prior to a
transaction  in a  penny  stock  not  otherwise  exempt  from  such  rules,  the
broker-dealer must make a special written  determination that the penny stock is
a suitable  investment  for the  purchaser and receive the  purchaser's  written
agreement to the transaction.  These disclosure requirements may have the effect
of reducing the level of trading  activity in the  secondary  market for a stock
that becomes  subject to the penny stock rules.  If the  Company's  Common Stock
becomes subject to the penny stock rules, investors in this offering may find it
more  difficult  to sell their  Common  Stock in the event it becomes  otherwise
freely resalable.


<PAGE>



                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

    The net  proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Common Stock and Class
A Warrants offered hereby (after deducting  underwriting discounts and estimated
offering   expenses)  are  estimated  to  be  $4,103,500   ($5,382,250   if  the
Representative's  over-allotment  option is exercised in full).  These proceeds,
together  with  the  $15,000,000  net  proceeds  to be  received  from  Heritage
Financial  Corporation,  and excluding the exercise  price of any Warrants,  are
intended to be utilized substantially as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Approximate      Approximate
     Application of Proceeds                          Amount         Percentage
     -----------------------                        -----------      -----------

<S>                                                  <C>                <C>  
Working capital and general corporate purposes .     $3,803,500         20.0%
Greenhouse Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . .     $4,800,000         25.1%
Cogenerator Construction . . . . . . . . . . . .     $6,800,000         35.6%
Miscellaneous expenses related to Greenhouse
   and cogenerator construction. . . . . . . . .     $1,900,000          9.9%
Repayment of Indebtedness. . . . . . . . . . . .     $1,800,000          9.4%
                                                    -----------        ------
                                                    $19,103,500        100.0%
</TABLE>

    Miscellaneous  expenses  related to greenhouse and cogenerator  construction
include  professional  fees such as  engineering,  financial  and legal costs of
approximately  $165,000,  construction loan interest of approximately  $700,000,
consulting  fees of  approximately  $320,000 and additional  working  capital of
approximately $715,000.

     The  amounts  set  forth  above,  other  than for  repayment  of Notes  and
repayment of indebtedness,  are estimates. The actual amount expended to finance
any category of expenses may be increased or decreased by the Company's Board of
Directors,  in its  discretion,  if required by the operating  experience of the
Company or if a reapportionment or redirection of funds,  including acquisitions
consistent  with the business  strategy of the  Company,  is deemed to be in the
best interest of the Company.  The Company has no specific plans,  arrangements,
understandings  or  commitments  with  respect  to any such  acquisition  at the
present time. See "Risk Factors -- Discretion in Application of Proceeds".

     If the  Representative  exercises the  over-allotment  option in full,  the
Company will realize additional net proceeds of approximately $1,278,750,  which
will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

     The net  proceeds  to the Company  from this  offering,  together  with the
proceeds  from the  Construction  Loan,  are expected to be adequate to fund the
Company's  working  capital needs for at least the next twelve (12) months.  See
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources". Pending use of the proceeds from
this  offering  as set forth  above,  the Company may invest all or a portion of
such  proceeds  in  short-term,  interest-bearing  securities,  U.S.  Government
securities,  money market investments and short-term,  interest-bearing deposits
in major banks.

<PAGE>



                                    DILUTION


    As of  September  30,  1997,  the net  negative  tangible  book value of the
Company  was  ($827,927)  or  ($.22)  per share of Common  Stock.  Net  negative
tangible book value per share  represents the amount the liabilities  exceed the
amount of total  tangible  assets divided by 3,838,750 , the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding on September 30, 1997. See  "Capitalization".  Thus, as
of September 30, 1997, the net negative  tangible book value per share of Common
Stock  owned by the  Company's  current  stockholders  would have  increased  by
$4,400,050 or $0.98 per share after giving  effect to this offering  without any
additional  investment  on their part and the  purchasers  of the Units  offered
hereby  would have  incurred an  immediate  dilution of $5.44 per share from the
offering price. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>  
Public Offering price per share of
   Common Stock Offered hereby (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . .               $6.20
Net tangible book value per share before offering. . . . . .  (.22)
   Increase per share attributable to new investors. . . . .   .98
                                                               --- 
Adjusted net tangible book value per share
  after this offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               $0.76
                                                                           -----
Dilution per share to new investors. . . . . .                             $5.44
                                                                           =====
</TABLE>
    The  following  table  summarizes  the  relative  investments  of  investors
pursuant to this offering and the current shareholders of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Current          Public
                                                      Stockholders      Investors     Total (2)
                                                      ------------      ---------     --------- 

<S>                                                     <C>              <C>          <C>      
Number of Shares of Common Stock Purchased . . . . .    3,838,750        825,000      4,663,750
Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock After
     Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           82%            18%           100%
Gross Consideration Paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      863,000      5,115,000      5,978,000
Percentage of Consideration Paid . . . . . . . . . .           14%            86%           100%
Average Consideration Per Share of Common Stock. . .         $.22          $6.20          $1.69
</TABLE>

     If the  over-allotment  option is exercised  in full,  the new Common Stock
investors  will have paid  $5,882,250  and will  hold  948,750  shares of Common
Stock,  representing 87% of the total  consideration and 20% of the total number
of outstanding  shares of Common Stock.  See  "Description  of  Securities"  and
"Underwriting". 
- --------
(1)  Assumes no exercise of (i) the  Representative's  over-allotment  option to
     purchase up to 123,750  shares of Common  Stock;  (ii) the Class A Warrants
     offered hereby; (iii) the  Representative's  Purchase Option to purchase up
     to 125,000 shares of Common Stock; (iv) the Class A Warrants purchasable by
     the Representative upon exercise of the  Representative's  Purchase Option;
     or (v) any options to purchase  shares of Common Stock  issuable  under the
     Company's  1996   Incentive   Plan.  See   "Description   of   Securities",
     "Management" and "Underwriting".
<PAGE>


                                 CAPITALIZATION

     The following table sets forth the cash and  capitalization  of the Company
as of September 30, 1997 and the as adjusted  capitalization  which gives effect
to the  consummation  of this  offering as if it occurred on September 30, 1997.
This table  should be read in  conjunction  with the  financial  statements  and
related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Before             After
                                                   Offering         Offering (1)
                                                  ----------        ------------
DEBT:
<S>                                               <C>                 <C>       
Notes payable (including
  short-term portion). . . . . . . . . . . . .    $1,838,639          $1,838,639
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY):
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value; 500,000 . . .        -                   -
  shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
  and none issued and outstanding as adjusted
Common Stock, $.001 par value; 10,000,000 
shares authorized;3,838,750 issued and
  outstanding; 4,663,750 shares issued
  and outstanding, as adjusted . . . . . . . .         3,839               4,664
Paid-in Capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       854,514           5,247,314
Retained Earnings (Deficit). . . . . . . . . .    (1,617,559)         (1,617,559)
Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) . . . . .      (759,206)          3,634,419
Total Debt and Stockholders' Equity
  (Deficiency) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,079,433           7,763,808
- -----------
<FN>
(1)      Assumes no exercise of: (i) the Representative's  over-allotment option
         to purchase up to 123,750  shares of Common  Stock and 123,750  Class A
         Warrants;   (ii)  the  Class  A  Warrants  offered  hereby;  (iii)  the
         Representative's  Purchase  Option to purchase up to 125,000  shares of
         Common  Stock and 125,000  Class A Warrants;  (iv) the Class A Warrants
         purchasable by the Representative upon exercise of the Representative's
         Purchase Option; and (v) options issuable under the Company's 1996 Long
         Term Incentive Plan. See "Description of Securities and "Underwriting".

</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>



                                 DIVIDEND POLICY

    Holders of the Company's Common Stock are entitled to dividends when, as and
if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally  available  therefor.
The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends and currently does not
intend to pay cash dividends in the  foreseeable  future on the shares of Common
Stock.  The  Company  intends  to  retain  earnings,  if  any,  to  finance  the
development  and expansion of its business.  Payment of future  dividends on the
Common Stock will be subject to the  discretion  of the Board of  Directors  and
will be  contingent  upon  future  earnings,  if any,  the  Company's  financial
condition, capital requirements,  general business conditions and other factors.
Therefore, there can be no assurance that any dividends on the Common Stock will
ever be paid.

<PAGE>


                             SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


    The  following  unaudited  selected  financial  information  concerning  the
Company,  other than the as adjusted  balance  sheet and statement of operations
data, has been derived from the financial  statements included elsewhere in this
Prospectus and should be read in conjunction with such financial  statements and
the notes thereto. See "Financial Statements".

    The  selected  financial  data  should  be read in  conjunction  with and is
qualified in its entirety by, the Company's financial statements,  related notes
and other financial information included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balance Sheet Data:

                                                  September 30, 1997
                                                  ------------------
<S>                                                    <C>       
Total assets                                           $1,550,634
Current liabilities                                     2,092,160
Long-term liabilities net of current portion              223,930
Stockholders' equity (deficit)                           (765,456)


Statement of Operations Data:

                                                       Inception to
                                                   September 30, 1997
                                                   ------------------

Net sales                                                 132,786
Net loss                                               (1,587,559)
Loss per Common Share                                        (.43)
Common  Shares Outstanding                              3,802,000
</TABLE>



<PAGE>


                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following  discussion should be read in conjunction with the historical
financial statements of the Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

Business Summary
- ----------------

     The  Company is a Delaware  corporation  organized  in  October  1995.  The
Company  has been formed to  construct  and  operate  greenhouses  in the United
States  for the  production  and  sale of  hydroponic,  naturally  vine  ripened
tomatoes.  The first proposed greenhouse will be located on 200 acres of land in
Colorado  and  will be  powered  by  three  1,000 HP  Thermal  Combustors  using
alternate fuel sources, such as used tires.

   
     The Company has signed a lease  agreement  with Village  Farms,  a Delaware
corporation,  to lease the twenty acre facility.  Village Farms will make both a
fixed and variable payment to the Company under the lease  agreement.  The fixed
payment  will be made  monthly,  while the  variable  payment  will be made on a
quarterly  basis.  Under the lease,  the Company will  provide  utilities to the
greenhouse,  heat and electric, at no charge to Village Farms, and Village Farms
will provide all personnel,  operating capital,  growing  expertise,  management
expertise,  and  marketing  expertise.  The Village Farms brand name is owned by
Agro Power Development,  Inc. of New Jersey.  They currently have a market share
of over 200 acres and approximately 100 million pounds of production for 1998.
    

     The Company has also entered  into a thirty year  contract  with  Tri-State
Power Generation Company to purchase the electricity  generated by the Company's
power generation facility.

     For its ongoing source, the Company has entered into agreements with (i) El
Paso County,  Colorado for the supply of approximately 2,000,000 tires per year;
and (ii) Dave Mehring,  a tire broker,  to provide an additional  2,000,000 used
tires annually to fuel the Thermal Combustor.

     The Company  plans to finance  the  facility  through the  proceeds of this
offering and through the sale of approximately  $15,000,000 of ten year notes to
a national lending  institution.  The Company has received an initial commitment
letter  subject  to  certain  terms and  conditions,  including  the  successful
completion of the public offering of securities contemplated hereby. The Company
has also employed the services of Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation to act
as a  consultant  in  providing  an  Engineered  Procurement  contract  (EPC) to
guarantee the successful  construction  and  completion of the project,  both on
time and on budget.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

     In the Company's brief history,  it has experienced  substantial  cash flow
difficulties  since it has been required to expend monies in  preparation of the
construction of the greenhouse and cogenerator facility. To date the Company has
expended $600,893 for such purpose.  At December 31, 1995, December 31, 1996 and
September 30, 1997 respectively,  the Company's current liabilities of $257,641;
$1,466,248 and $2,092,160,  substantially exceeded its current assets of $1,855,
$91,516 and $287,210 and capital deficits of $159,417; $407,749 and $765,456.

     Financing  activities  have generated  $1,870,853  from  inception  through
September 30, 1997 from the issuance of common stock, proceeds from bridge loans
and net loans from stockholders. See "Risk Factors - Default under Existing Note
Obligations."
<PAGE>

     The  Company  believes  that the  proceeds  received  from  this  offering,
together with its $15,000,000 construction loan, will be sufficient to construct
and operate a greenhouse  and  cogenerator  plant until such time as the Company
achieves internally generated funds.

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

     Revenue  Recognition.  Revenues from operations are recognized as billed to
The Tire Broker and El Paso County for tire tipping fees. At this time there are
no revenues from the power purchase  agreement with Tri-State  Power  Generation
Company or from the sale of tomatoes.  These  revenues will be  recognized  from
metered  billings  in the  electrical  contract  and from  bills of lading  when
tomatoes are shipped from the site.

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997.  Revenues  received from tire tipping
fees totaled $132,786 while the cost of shredding these tires totaled  $156,238,
leaving a net loss of  ($23,452).  Selling,  General  and  Administrative  costs
consisted of $284,866 and interest cost totaled $408,390,  leaving a net loss of
$716,708 for the nine month period.

     The Company's  activities  since its  inception in October,  1995 have been
developmental in that it has been necessary to accomplish  certain objectives to
prepare the facility for construction.  More  specifically,  it has obtained the
necessary  permits required to permit  operations and retained Stone and Webster
to determine that the Company had a viable  project.  The Company  purchased the
land upon which the facility is to be  constructed  and has obtained  water well
permits,  air  permits,  certificate  of  designation,  special  use permits and
rezoning of the land.

     These  activities  have taken  approximately  nine months to accomplish and
certain  activities  would  have been  farther  along  except for  funding.  The
engineering  accomplishments  are vast, and the EPC contract should be completed
by the end of  November,  1997.  This EPC  contract  will  delineate  the entire
project with a firm price and time line for completion.

     The Company had  operating  expenses  for the period of  inception  through
December  31,  1996 and  September  30, 1997 of $714,708  and  $441,104  and net
interest  expenses  of $156,143  and  $408,390  with a net loss of $870,851  and
$716,708 for the period.

Seasonality
- -----------

     Until the tomato  production  goes into effect,  there will be no effect on
the Company by seasonality or weather conditions. At such time, the Company will
be affected to the extent that its tomatoes  will sell for higher  prices in the
winter months than in the summer.

Inflation
- ---------

     Inflation  has not been a material  factor in the  Company's  operations to
date.
<PAGE>



                                    BUSINESS

General

     Ripe Touch  Greenhouses,  Inc. (the "Company") has been formed to construct
and operate  greenhouses  in the United  States for the  production  and sale of
hydroponic, naturally vine ripened tomatoes. The first proposed greenhouse is to
be located on 200 acres of land in Colorado.  This  facility  will be powered by
three 1,000HP Thermal  Combustors to be purchased from an affiliated party using
alternate fuel sources,  such as used tires.  The  combustors  will generate the
heat for the greenhouse as well as the steam necessary to produce five megawatts
of electricity.  In addition to revenues from the sale of tomatoes,  the Company
anticipates  receiving revenue from the sale of electricity  generated in excess
of the greenhouse  requirements  and the sale of recyclables  created during the
generation of  electricity,  including  carbon black.  The  construction  of the
Colorado  greenhouse  and power  generation  facility is intended to be financed
through a  construction  loan in the amount of  $15,000,000  (the  "Construction
Loan")  with  Heritage  Financial  Corporation  and the  sale  of  approximately
$4,103,500  (net) of common  stock and  warrants in an initial  public  offering
under applicable federal and state securities laws.

   
     The  Colorado  project  intends to employ the  services of several  outside
professional  groups.  The Company has entered  into an  agreement  with Village
Farms,  which operates  greenhouses  throughout the United States, to design and
manage the construction of the greenhouse  facility as well as manage,  grow and
sell the tomatoes.  Tri State Power Generation Company has entered into a thirty
(30) year  electrical  power  contract  with the  Company  wherein  they will be
purchasing  the  electricity  generated  from  the  Company's  power  generation
facility.  Stone &  Webster  Engineering  Corporation  has  completed  their due
diligence  study and will be acting as a  consultant  to oversee  an  engineered
procurement  contract  ("EPC") to  guarantee  the  successful  construction  and
completion  of the  greenhouse,  both on time  and on  budget.  The  Company  is
compiling  bids from  various  vendors  and  anticipates  finalizing  the EPC by
December 31, 1997. For its initial  energy source,  the Company has entered into
agreements  with (i) El Paso County,  Colorado  for the supply of  approximately
2,000,000  tires per year and (ii) Dave  Mehring,  a tire broker,  to provide an
additional 2,000,000 used tires annually to fuel the Thermal Combustors.
    

     The  Company  was  incorporated  under the laws of the State of Delaware on
October 26, 1995.  The Company's  executive  offices are located at 4871 N. Mesa
Drive, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104 and its telephone number is (303) 688-9805.

Industry Overview

     The United States  greenhouse  industry is growing  rapidly but it is still
relatively  small when  compared  to the  greenhouse  industry  in many parts of
Europe and Asia.  This is, in part, due to the growing  conditions in California
and Florida  which,  coupled with an extensive  highway  system and  inexpensive
fuel, have provided fresh crops at reasonable prices in the United States.

     Based on  industry  reports,  the  entire  acreage  devoted  to  greenhouse
vegetable  production  in the  United  States is  approximately  900  acres.  By
comparison,  in the  Netherlands,  over  23,000  total  acres are  dedicated  to
greenhouse  production  with 13,500 of such acres  devoted to  vegetable  crops.
England  and Wales  have 2,960  acres  dedicated  to  greenhouse  production  of
vegetables, and Canada 710 acres. In the United States, dietary trends away from
the consumption of red meat and toward the  consumption of fresh  vegetables has
caused the consumption of fresh  vegetables to rise  considerably  over the past
ten (10) years with a willingness to pay premium prices for premium products, of

<PAGE>

which in the opinion of the Company vine-ripened  tomatoes are a part. Thus, the
premium  tomato  market,  as a  specialty  niche  within the 40  billion  dollar
supermarket vegetable business, appears to have significant growth potential.

National Perspective

     In the United  States,  approximately  $40 billion of fresh produce is sold
each year at the retail  level.  This does not include  production  for the food
service  industry  or  processed  foods.  Four  east  coast  metropolitan  areas
(Baltimore/D.C.,    Boston/Providence,   New   York   and   Philadelphia)   sell
approximately  $3.72 billion in produce through  supermarket  chains,  including
approximately $170,000,000 in tomatoes.

     Most major supermarket chains have sold greenhouse grown tomatoes, lettuce,
cucumbers and herbs continuously during the past ten years. More recently, major
food service  companies  such as Sysco,  P.Y.A.,  Monarch and Marriott have used
greenhouse-grown  vegetables.  When McDonald's started their salad program, they
looked at greenhouse production to supplement their West Coast buying.

     Based on  industry  reports,  currently  there are fewer  than 100 acres of
greenhouse tomato production located between the mid-Atlantic states through New
England.  The proximity to the populated markets of the northeast corridor makes
the east coast corridor very attractive as a distribution center.

     Given  location,  climactic  conditions,  population  centers and  consumer
trends of the major  marketing  areas,  the Company  views  tomatoes as the most
appropriate  crop for large  scale  greenhouse  production  in most  areas.  The
Company  believes that an important  selling  feature with a food chain buyer is
high quality vine ripened tomatoes during the off season. In the northeast area,
local  field  production  would be a  competing  factor  only six to eight weeks
during  the  late  summer  months  and it is the  Company's  opinion  that  once
reliable,  year-round  production is  demonstrated,  local  produce  buyers will
forego the field product to maintain a year-round supply.

Field Competition

     In terms of pounds produced, field-grown tomatoes represent over 95% of all
tomatoes  consumed in the United States.  For most of the year, the  field-grown
tomato  is  the  green  variety  sprayed  with  gases,   shipped  from  Florida,
California,  or Mexico.  Gassing the tomatoes causes them to ripen; however, the
Company  believes that the flavor of a gassed tomato does not compare  favorably
with that of a vine  ripened  tomato.  During all but six to eight  weeks of the
year,  most  regions  of the  United  States do not have  vine-ripened  tomatoes
available on the shelf unless it is a greenhouse grown product.

     In terms of price  differential,  the  greenhouse  tomato has  historically
called upon the consumer to pay a premium price for its product. During the past
eight to ten years, the price differential  between the two tomato varieties has
been narrowed since (a) the U.S.  greenhouse  grower is consistently  becoming a
better producer with better quality and increased yields per square foot through
advanced  labor  management  techniques,  and (b) many  retailers  have  shown a
willingness  to keep the premium  product on the shelf during the winter  months
with a reduced markup.

     In summary,  superior appearance and taste,  coupled with a shrinking price
differential between the greenhouse tomato and the gassed-green tomato, make the
field grown  produce less of a competitor  today than  approximately  five years
ago.
<PAGE>

Import Competition

     Of the four billion  pounds of tomatoes  consumed in the United States each
year, one billion pounds is imported from Mexico.  However, the Mexican tomatoes
are  all  picked  "dead-green"  and  gas-ripened  once  they  reach  their  U.S.
destination.  Additionally,  Mexican  tomatoes may have pesticides and chemicals
that are no longer allowed in the U.S.

     The most significant import  competition comes from Holland  (approximately
900,000,000 lbs) with Canada a distant second.  There is also a small percentage
of other imports from various offshore points. In some cases the varieties grown
are only for a highly  specified and small market  niche.  The bulk of the Dutch
product is sold in 3.5 and 7 kilogram  flats and most of the flats are freighted
as cargo on wide-bodied  aircraft.  Some importers use ocean freight which takes
approximately  twelve (12) days in transit.  Depending  on the time of the year,
the air freight costs between $.40 and $.60 per pound or up to $9.24 per flat of
tomatoes.  Further, there are very few, if any, U.S. retailers who work directly
with the Dutch auction system,  which means that there is at least one and often
two middlemen to compensate.

     Shelf life is also an issue. A Dutch tomato is transported  from the grower
to the central auction  warehouse.  Those destined for the U.S. market must then
be transported to the air carrier's  warehouse,  flown to the U.S. port of entry
(usually New York City) and stored at the carrier's warehouse where they undergo
U.S. customs and USDA inspection.  From the airport, the tomatoes are shipped to
a U.S. wholesaler and finally on to the local retailers.

     A U.S. tomato  producer  should have at least a $.60 per pound  competitive
edge over a Dutch grower.  Generally, it is superior growing expertise resulting
in  increased  yields and a strong brand name  recognition  that allow the Dutch
growers to compete against domestic tomatoes.

Greenhouse Operations and Management Agreement

   
     The Company has entered into a lease  agreement with Village  Farms,  which
operates  greenhouses  throughout the United States.  Under this agreement,  the
Company  intends to  construct a Venlo style glass  greenhouse  of modular  type
construction similar to those in Holland,  which will include such equipment and
materials necessary to operate the greenhouse. In addition, the Company will own
and operate a 5 megawatt power generation  facility which will include the scrap
rubber tires and other products for fuel to fire three 1000HP Thermal Combustors
to  generate  steam  to  provide  the  necessary  heat and  electricity  for the
greenhouse.  The Company has signed a lease  agreement  with  Village  Farms,  a
Delaware corporation, to lease the twenty acre facility. Village Farms will make
both a fixed and variable  payment to the Company  under the lease  arrangement.
The fixed payment will be made monthly,  while the variable payment will be made
on a quarterly basis. Under the lease, the Company will provide utilities to the
greenhouse,  heat and electric, at no charge to Village Farms, and Village Farms
will provide all personnel,  operating capital,  growing  expertise,  management
expertise,  and  marketing  expertise.  The Village Farms brand name is owned by
Agro Power Development,  Inc. of New Jersey.  They currently have a market share
of over 200 acres and approximately 100 million pounds of production for 1998.
    


<PAGE>
   
     Subject to the Company's direction and control, Colorado Greenhouse will be
responsible for the  requisitioning of all materials and supplies  necessary for
the Greenhouse operation. Colorado Greenhouse will select the crops to be grown,
the planting and harvesting  schedules and the day-to-day husbandry of the crops
at the Greenhouse.  Any additional  administrative and processing costs incurred
by Colorado  Greenhouse  for such purposes will be invoiced to and paid promptly
by the  Company.  An  operating  budget  will be prepared by the parties for the
greenhouse prior to its initial operations.

     The Company has agreed to provide,  at its own  expense,  public  liability
coverage  with a limit  of at least  $10,000,000,  all-risk  casualty  insurance
covering  all of the  personal  property  on or about the  greenhouse,  workers'
compensation insurance in an amount required by law, and such other insurance as
may be  reasonably  required  pursuant  to the  terms  of  any  possible  credit
agreement with the Company effecting the greenhouse  operations ancillary to the
greenhouse.  The Agreement with Colorado Greenhouse is for ten (10) years unless
earlier terminated based upon certain defined occurrences.

Power Purchase Agreement

     The Company has entered into a thirty year power  purchase  agreement  with
Tri-State  Power  Generation  Company  ("Tri-State").  Under this  agreement the
Company will install and operate a waste fuel fired  generation  facility in the
county of El Paso, Colorado. Tri-State, through its own electronic power system,
generates,  purchases and transmits power and energy for wholesale to its member
distribution  cooperatives.  Tri-State  has  agreed to  purchase  the entire net
output of  capacity  and energy  from the  Company and in return the Company has
agreed to sell and deliver said energy and capacity solely to Tri-State.

     Further,   Tri-State  may  terminate  the  agreement  if  certain   minimum
deliveries are not  maintained by the Company.  Tri-State will pay the Company a
purchase  price based on the number of  megawatt  hours  supplied  to  Tri-State
multiplied by an energy rate (as defined) which shall be adjusted each year.

The Process

     The  Company's  facility  will be  differentiated  from other  cogeneration
projects in the United States involving greenhouses. First, the facility will be
powered by tire derived  fuel  consisting  of shredded  rubber tires rather than
natural gas or oil,  which will only be used as back-up.  Second,  the  facility
will be owned by the Company not leased by a power company,  so that profits, if
any, will remain within the Company.  Third, the Company's  facility is intended
to have  four  sources  of  income:  (1) the sale of  tomatoes,  (2) the sale of
electricity, (3) a tipping fee for receiving the used tires, and (4) the sale of
recyclables such as carbon black.

   
     The  facility  is  intended to create a more  profitable  operation  than a
typical   greenhouse  because  the  external  charges  typical  of  cogeneration
facilities,  i.e., thermal heat and electricity, are being generated directly by
Company owned machinery and equipment.  The thermal heat, which an operator such
as Village Farms usually records as a line item expense, will be provided "free"
to  Village  Farms  by  the  Company's  facility.  The  electricity,   which  is
customarily  charged to Village Farms,  will be "offset"  against the electrical
income  generated by the Company power facility.  The Company facility will make
an initial  investment of several hundred  thousand dollars to drill three wells
at the site so that the usual and customary charge for water will be absorbed in
the  electrical  offset.  All of the water used at the site will be treated  and
recycled  through a boiler or fed to the tomato plants  through the drip system.
All rain and runoff water will be collected in a holding/cooling pond which will
be located on the site, thus insuring that no water will be wasted.
    

<PAGE>

     The power producing process begins with the arrival of a truck load of used
car and truck  tires  which are off loaded and  sorted by the tire  broker.  The
Company  will  receive a tipping fee for each tire  delivered  to the site.  The
scrap  tires are then  loaded  onto a conveyor  belt which  takes the tires to a
shredder  which shreds the tires into  approximately  one inch square  pieces of
rubber. These tire shreds, which are now called tire derived fuel (TDF) are then
moved into storage bins. As the power house facility requires fuel, the shredded
tires are conveyed to the power house where they are gasified to generate a heat
source.

     This  patented  process is owned by Waste  Conversion  Systems,  Inc.,  the
supplier of three 1000HP Thermal Combustors.  These three units each is intended
to generate 33 million  BTU's per hour or 33 thousand  pounds of steam per hour.
As the TDF is fed to the Thermal  Combustors,  they turn from a solid into a gas
through a process  known as  gasification.  The solid tires smoke and gasify the
Thermal  Combustor's  primary chamber and flow into its secondary  chamber where
super heated air is introduced, causing the smoke and gases to ignite and form a
horizontal  flame. This flame burns into a water tube boiler and turns the water
in the boiler  into steam.  The steam is then  transmitted  into steam  turbines
which will generate five  megawatts of  electricity,  with the spent steam being
used by the greenhouse  facility as needed to heat the greenhouse.  Ash produced
in the  process  is made up of silica and  steel,  which can then be resold.  In
addition,  a baghouse,  which catches the particles out of the air, will collect
carbon black which can also be sold.

     The  "Process"  is  expected  to use over three  million  tires per year to
produce the electricity and steam needed by the greenhouse facility.  Tires will
be stock piled to insure  that the power house will not run out of tires.  It is
anticipated  that  there  will be  sufficient  TDF  stored  on site to fuel  the
Company's  facility for six months.  The  "Process"  will also  maintain a large
propane tank as a backup  against  unscheduled  mechanical  downtime  during the
cooler months.

Properties

     The Company's  cogeneration  greenhouse  will be built on a contiguous  two
hundred 200 acre site.  (the  "Project  Site") The  Project  Site is located two
miles west of the town of Calhan,  Colorado which is approximately 24 miles east
of Colorado  Springs,  Colorado on Highway  24. The  Project  Site will  provide
adequate  land to build and  operate  the  greenhouse,  administrative  offices,
packing house,  solid fuel handling and water storage  facilities.  The land has
been rezoned under a land use permit to  accommodate  the solid fuel storage and
shredding  operation of used rubber tires,  as they are  currently  treated as a
waste stream commodity. The purchase price for the land was $340,000.

Legal Matters

     The Company is not involved in any material pending legal proceedings.

Employees

     The Company  employs two people,  both of whom are located in the Company's
Castle Rock, Colorado headquarters and serve in administrative capacities.  None
of the  Company's  employees  are  represented  by a labor  union.  The  Company
considers its relationships with its employees to be satisfactory.
<PAGE>

Seasonality

     The tomato  industry  generally  experiences  its highest volume during the
spring and summer months and the lowest volume in the winter months.


                                   MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

     The following persons are the current  executive  officers and directors of
the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Name               Age           Position
       ----               ---           --------
<S>                        <C>          <C>                
       Stanley Abrams      57           President and Director
       James Woodley       50           Secretary-Treasurer and Director
       Arthur Rosenberg    57           Director
</TABLE>

     Stanley  Abrams has been  President and a director of the Company since its
inception.  Mr. Abrams has also been Chief  Executive  Officer,  President and a
director of Waste Conversion  Systems,  Inc. ("WSC"),  a publicly traded company
which owns the  intellectual  property used in the thermal  combustors which are
used in the Company's operations,  for more than the past five years. Mr. Abrams
is also Chief  Executive  Officer,  President and a director of Nathaniel,  Ltd.
("Nathaniel"),   the  exclusive  domestic  and  international  manufacturer  and
marketer of the thermal combustors manufactured by WSC.

       James Woodley has been Secretary, Treasurer and a director of the Company
since its inception. Mr. Woodley graduated from Pennsylvania State University in
1969  with a  degree  in  Economics  and  Business  Administration.  He has been
employed as an accountant with several companies from 1969 to 1977. From 1978 to
1986,  he was  President  of Unique  Concepts,  a Denver  area home  builder and
warehouse  management  company.  From December 1986 to January 1989, he was Vice
President  of Finance for Essex  Management,  Inc.,  Englewood,  Colorado;  from
January 1989 to July 1980, he was controller for  International  Training Corp.,
Denver,  Colorado. He joined Waste Conversion as Chief Financial Officer in July
1990 and has served on the board since September, 1992. Mr. Woodley is Secretary
Treasurer and a director of Nathaniel Ltd.

     Arthur  Rosenberg has been a director of the Company since  November  1997.
Mr.  Rosenberg has been a practicing  attorney for more than the past ten years.
Since June 1, 1987, he has been Vice President of Acquisitions of The Associated
Companies,  a residential  land and  commercial  developer  located in Bethesda,
Maryland.  Mr.  Rosenberg  also is a director of EcoTyre  Technologies,  Inc., a
publicly-owned  manufacturer  of remolded  tires and Mike's  Original,  Inc.,  a
publicly-owned distributor of super-premium ice cream.

<PAGE>




Executive Compensation

       The following  table sets forth the cash and other  compensation  paid or
accrued by the Company for the fiscal  year ended  December  31, 1996 and during
the period from  inception  through  December  31, 1995 to the  Company's  chief
executive officer.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Long Term
                                            Annual Compensation                      Compensation
                         ----------------------------------------------------------  ------------             
                                                                                      Securities
    Name and                                                         Other Annual     Underlying       All Other
Principal Position        Year              Salary         Bonus     Compensation(1)    Options      Compensation
- ------------------       -------            -------        -----     ---------------  -----------    ------------

<S>                      <C>                <C>               <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
Stanley Abrams           1996(2)            $85,000           -             -              -              -
President (Chief         1995(3)             14,167           -             -              -              -
Executive Officer)

James Woodley            1996(2)             75,000           -             -              -              -
                         1995(3)             12,500           -             -              -              -

<FN>
(1)  The value of all  perquisites  provided to the  Company's  officers did not
     exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the officer's salary and bonus.
(2)  Represents the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
(3)  Represents  the period  from the  Company's  inception  on October 25, 1995
     through December 31, 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Employment Agreements

     The Company has entered into an employment  agreement  with Stanley  Abrams
pursuant  to which  Mr.  Abrams  has  agreed  to serve as the  President  of the
Company, at a minimum annual base salary of $95,000.  This employment  agreement
is for an initial  term of three (3) years  commencing  upon the  closing of the
IPO.  The  agreement  also  provides  that  Mr.  Abrams  will  be paid 3% of the
Company's  pre-tax earnings (up to a maximum payment of $125,000 with respect to
the Company's fiscal year ending December 31, 1997) during the term thereof upon
the Company  achieving  certain  financial  results.  The employment  agreements
provide that if the employee is terminated after the initial term other than for
"cause" (as defined), or dies or becomes permanently disabled,  the Company will
pay to the employee certain severance payments.

     The Company has entered into an  employment  agreement  with James  Woodley
pursuant to which Mr. Woodley has agreed to serve as the Secretary and Treasurer
of the  Company,  at a minimum  annual base salary of $75,000.  This  employment
agreement is for an initial term of three (3) years  commencing upon the closing
of the IPO. The agreement  also provides that Mr. Woodley will be paid 3% of the
Company's  pre-tax earnings (up to a maximum payment of $125,000 with respect to
the Company's fiscal year ending December 31, 1997) during the term thereof upon
the Company  achieving  certain  financial  results.  The employment  agreements
provide that if the employee is terminated after the initial term other than for
"cause" (as defined), or dies or becomes permanently disabled,  the Company will
pay to the employee certain severance payments.
<PAGE>

     Both of the above agreements contain restrictions on the employees engaging
in competition with the Company for the term thereof and for one year thereafter
and provisions protecting the Company's proprietary rights and information. Each
agreement also provides for the payment of three times the  employee's  previous
year's total compensation, less $1.00, upon the termination of his employment in
the event of a change in control of the  Company  which  adversely  affects  his
working conditions.  For those purposes,  a change in control is defined to mean
(a) a person  (as such  term is  defined  in  Sections  13(d)  and  14(d) of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)  other than a current  director or
officer of the Company becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
30% of the  voting  power of the  Company's  outstanding  securities  or (b) the
members  of the Board of  Directors  at the  beginning  of any  two-year  period
ceasing to constitute  at least a majority of the Board of Directors  unless the
election of any new director  during such period has been approved in advance by
two-thirds of the directors in office at the beginning of such two-year period.

Consulting Agreement

     The Company has entered into a consulting  agreement as of November 1, 1996
with Srotnac Group, LLC ("Srotnac"). Under this agreement, Srotnac has agreed
to provide business operations and management consulting services to the Company
in exchange  for a  consulting  fee at the annual rate of $125,000 for the first
year of the agreement, $75,000 during the second year of the agreement, $100,000
during the third year of the agreement and $95,000 for each year thereafter. The
consulting agreement with Srotnac expires three years from the effective date of
this  offering.  Pursuant  to the  agreement,  Srotnac  and its  principals  are
restricted  from engaging in  competition  with the Company for the term thereof
and for one year thereafter,  and contains  provisions  protecting the Company's
trade secrets and proprietary rights and information.  The Company may terminate
the services of Srotnac under the  consulting  agreement  upon thirty (30) days'
written  notice  for a  material  breach  by  Srotnac  of  the  non-competition,
confidentiality and proprietary rights clauses.

1996 Long Term Incentive Plan

     In May 1996, the Company adopted The Ripe Touch Greenhouses, Inc. 1996 Long
Term Incentive Plan (the "1996 Incentive  Plan") in order to motivate  qualified
employees of the Company,  to assist the Company in attracting  employees and to
align the interests of such persons with those of the Company's stockholders.

     The 1996 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of "incentive stock options"
within the meaning of the Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as
amended, "non-qualified stock options," restricted stock, performance grants and
other types of awards to officers,  key employees,  consultants  and independent
contractors of the Company and its affiliates.

     The  1996  Incentive  Plan,  which  will be  administered  by the  Board of
Directors  or a  committee  thereof,  authorizes  the  issuance  of a maximum of
350,000 shares of Common Stock which may be either newly issued shares, treasury
shares,   reacquired  shares,  shares  purchased  in  the  open  market  or  any
combination  thereof.  If any award under the 1996  Incentive  Plan  terminates,
expires  unexercised,  or is  canceled,  the  shares of Common  Stock that would
otherwise  have been  issuable  pursuant  thereto will be available for issuance
pursuant to the grant of new awards. To date, the Company has granted no options
under this plan.

<PAGE>

Personal Liability and Indemnification of Directors

     The Company's  Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws contain  provisions
which reduce the potential  personal liability of directors for certain monetary
damages and provide for indemnity of directors and other persons. The Company is
unaware of any  pending or  threatened  litigation  against  the  Company or its
directors  that would result in any liability for which such director would seek
indemnification or similar protection.

     Such  indemnification  provisions  are intended to increase the  protection
provided  directors  and,  thus,  increase the Company's  ability to attract and
retain  qualified  persons to serve as directors.  Because  directors  liability
insurance is only available at  considerable  cost and with low dollar limits of
coverage and broad policy exclusions,  the Company does not currently maintain a
liability  insurance  policy for the  benefit  of its  directors,  although  the
Company  may  attempt to acquire  such  insurance  in the  future.  The  Company
believes  that  the  substantial  increase  in  the  number  of  lawsuits  being
threatened or filed  against  corporations  and their  directors and the general
unavailability of directors  liability  insurance to provide  protection against
the  increased  risk of personal  liability  resulting  from such  lawsuits have
combined  to result in a growing  reluctance  on the part of capable  persons to
serve as members of boards of directors of companies,  particularly of companies
which intend to become  public  companies.  The Company also  believes  that the
increased  risk of  personal  liability  without  adequate  insurance  or  other
indemnity  protection for its directors  could result in  overcautious  and less
effective  direction and  management of the Company.  Although no directors have
resigned or have  threatened to resign as a result of the  Company's  failure to
provide insurance or other indemnity protection from liability,  it is uncertain
whether the Company's  directors  would continue to serve in such  capacities if
improved protection from liability were not provided.

     The provisions  affecting  personal  liability do not abrogate a director's
fiduciary  duty to the  Company and its  stockholders,  but  eliminate  personal
liability for monetary  damages for breach of that duty.  The provisions do not,
however,  eliminate  or limit the  liability of a director for failing to act in
good faith, for engaging in intentional misconduct or knowingly violating a law,
for authorizing  the illegal  payment of a dividend or repurchase of stock,  for
obtaining an improper  personal  benefit,  for  breaching a  director's  duty of
loyalty  (which  is  generally  described  as  the  duty  not to  engage  in any
transaction  which involves a conflict  between the interests of the Company and
those of the director) or for  violations of the federal  securities  laws.  The
provisions  also limit or indemnify  against  liability  resulting  from grossly
negligent  decisions  including grossly negligent business decisions relating to
attempts to change control of the Company.

     The provisions  regarding  indemnification  provide,  in essence,  that the
Company will  indemnify its directors  against  expenses  (including  attorneys'
fees),  judgments,  fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred in connection  with any action,  suit or proceeding  arising out of the
director's status as a director of the Company,  including actions brought by or
on behalf of the Company (shareholder derivative actions). The provisions do not
require a showing of good faith. Moreover,  they do not provide  indemnification
for liability  arising out of willful  misconduct,  fraud,  or  dishonesty,  for
"short-swing"  profits  violations under the federal securities laws, or for the
receipt  of  illegal   remuneration.   The   provisions   also  do  not  provide
indemnification  for any  liability  to the extent such  liability is covered by
insurance.  One purpose of the provisions is to supplement the coverage provided
by such insurance.  However,  as mentioned above, the Company does not currently
provide such  insurance  to its  directors,  and there is no guarantee  that the
Company  will  provide  such  insurance  to its  directors  in the near  future,
although the Company may attempt to obtain such insurance.
<PAGE>

     These  provisions  diminish  the  potential  rights of action  which  might
otherwise be available to shareholders by limiting the liability of officers and
directors to the maximum  extent  allowable  under Delaware law and by affording
indemnification  against most damages and settlement  amounts paid by a director
of the Company in connection with any shareholders  derivative action.  However,
the  provisions do not have the effect of limiting the right of a shareholder to
enjoin a director  from taking  actions in breach of his  fiduciary  duty, or to
cause the  Company to rescind  actions  already  taken,  although as a practical
matter courts may be unwilling to grant such equitable remedies in circumstances
in which such actions have  already been taken.  Also,  because the Company does
not  presently  have  directors  liability  insurance  and  because  there is no
assurance that the Company will procure such insurance or that if such insurance
is  procured  it  will  provide  coverage  to  the  extent  directors  would  be
indemnified under the provisions, the Company may be forced to bear a portion or
all  of the  cost  of the  director's  claims  for  indemnification  under  such
provisions. If the Company is forced to bear the costs for indemnification,  the
value of the Company's stock may be adversely affected.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of the Company
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised
that such indemnification,  in the opinion of the Commission,  is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.


                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     The following  table sets forth the  beneficial  ownership of the Company's
Common  Stock as of October 31, 1997 of (i) each person  known by the Company to
beneficially own 5% or more of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each
of the Company's executive officers,  directors and director nominees, and (iii)
all of the  Company's  executive  officers and  directors as a group.  Except as
otherwise  indicated,  all shares of Common Stock are  beneficially  owned,  and
investment and voting power is held, by the persons named as owners.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                       Amount and Nature      Percentage  Ownership (5)
Name and Address  of      of Shares             Before      After
  Beneficial Owner     Beneficially Owned*     Offering    Offering
- --------------------   ------------------      ---------   -----------

<S>                       <C>                     <C>            <C>
Stanley Abrams (1)           600,000              15.0%          13.0%
James Woodley (1)            375,000               9.9%           8.0%
Arthur Rosenberg             -                      -              -
Srotnac Group, LLC (2)       462,000              12.4%           9.9%
Double G Foods, Inc. (3)     375,000               9.9%           8.0%
W & L Acquisition Corp. (4)  375,000               9.9%           8.0$   
All officers and directors
 as a group (3  persons)     975,000              25.0%          21.0%

* less than one percent (1%) unless otherwise indicated.
<FN>
(1)  The address for each of these  persons is 4871 N. Mesa Drive,  Castle Rock,
     Colorado 80104.
(2)  The address for Srotnac Group, LLC is P.O. Box 473,  Babylon  Village,  New
     York  11702.  Steven  A.  Cantor  is  the  managing  member  and  principal
     stockholder of Srotnac Group, LLC.
(3)  The address for Double G Foods, Inc. is 193 Elm Place, Mineola, New York 
     11501.
(4)  The address for W & L Acquisition Corp. is 248 E. 31st Street, New York, 
     New York  10016.
(5)  Assumes no exercise of: (i) the Representative's  over-allotment  option to
     purchase up to 123,750 shares of Common Stock and 123,750 Class A Warrants;
     (ii) the  Class A  Warrants  offered  hereby;  (iii)  the  Representative's
     Purchase  Option to  purchase  up to  125,000  shares  of Common  Stock and
     125,000  Class A  Warrants;  (iv) the Class A Warrants  purchasable  by the
     Representative upon exercise of the  Representative's  Purchase Option; and
     (v) options  issuable upon the Company's 1996 Long Term Incentive Plan. See
     "Description of Securities" and "Underwriting."
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The  Company  is a party to a  purchase  order  for the  purchase  of three
thermal  combustors  (the  "Purchase  Order") from  Nathaniel,  Ltd., a Colorado
corporation ("Nathaniel"). Stanley Abrams and James Woodley are the officers and
directors of Nathaniel.  Messrs.  Abrams and Woodley collectively own all of the
outstanding  stock  of  Nathaniel.  The  Purchase  Order  is for  three  Thermal
Combustors for an aggregate purchase price of $1,275,000.  Approximately $20,000
from the proceeds of this  offering  will be paid to Nathaniel  for  preliminary
engineering fees. The remaining $1,255,000 will be paid from the proceeds of the
Construction Loan and the IPO. Nathaniel,  pursuant to a distributor  agreement,
is the exclusive  manufacturer and marketer of the thermal  combustors for Waste
Conversion  Systems,  Inc.  ("WCS").  WCS owns the  United  States  patents  and
marketing  rights for the Thermal  Combustors  to be  utilized in the  Company's
business.  Stanley  Abrams and James  Woodley are officers and directors of WCS.
Pursuant to their  distributor  agreement,  WCS will receive royalty payments in
connection  with the sale of the thermal  combustors by Nathaniel to the Company
pursuant to the Purchase Order.  Nathaniel also holds a $50,000 principal amount
demand promissory note payable by the Company at an annual interest rate of 8%.

     Pursuant to the consulting agreement between the Company and SAC Consulting
Group, Ltd., SAC Consulting Group, Ltd. is owed $125,000, none of which has been
paid.

     In September 1996, the Company loaned Steven A. Cantor  $125,000.  The loan
is repayable on or before  September 27, 1999, at the option of Mr. Cantor,  and
bears interest at a rate of 8% per year.

                             SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

     This  Prospectus  may also be used for the possible  offering of additional
shares of Common  Stock  owned by the  Selling  Securityholders.  Certain  other
Selling  Securityholders  have agreed  that the shares of Common  Stock owned by
such  persons  registered  for  resale  hereunder  under  may  not be  sold  for
twenty-four  (24)  months  from the date of this  Prospectus  without  the prior
written consent of the Representative. The Company will not receive any proceeds
from such sales.  The  Representative  may release such  restriction at any time
after  completion of this  offering.  although  there are no  understandings  or
arrangements  in this  regard.  The  resale  of the  securities  by the  Selling
Securityholders is subject to Prospectus  delivery and other requirements of the
Securities Act.

     The Shares are being  offered by the  following  persons in the amounts set
forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Beneficial        Number       Beneficial
                              Ownership       of Shares      Ownership
      Stockholder         Prior to Offering    Offered     After Offering
      -----------         -----------------   ---------    --------------

<S>                              <C>            <C>           <C>   
Jones Enterprises                42,500         37,500        0.835%
Louis Solferino                  42,500         37,500        0.835%
Brett Abrams                     32,500         32,500        0.639%

<PAGE>

Vosavu Pty., Ltd.                32,500         32,500        0.639%
RLP Holdings Inc.                20,000         20,000        0.393%
Robert LaRusso                   20,000         20,000        0.393%
Barbara Rubenfeld                20,000         20,000        0.393%
Barry & Deena Silberman           5,000          5,000        0.098%
Jamie Silberman                   5,000          5,000        0.098%
Eric Shenker                      5,000          5,000        0.098%
Paul Greenstein                  20,000         20,000        0.393%
Michael Ring                     10,000         10,000        0.197%
Gary L. Spieler & Yaffa Spieler  10,000          5,000        0.197%
Yaffa Spieler                    10,000          5,000        0.197%
Scott M. Sosnik                  10,000          5,000        0.197%
Sosnik & Co.                     10,000          5,000        0.197%
Glen E. and Karen S. Erfman       5,000          5,000        0.098%
Ralph Ridge                       2,500          2,500        0.049%
Ralph H. Grills, Jr. FLP          7,500          7,500        0.147%
John E. Lecomte                  10,000         10,000        0.197%
Sally Miglio                      5,000          5,000        0.098%
Sol Adler                         5,000          5,000        0.098%
Onyx Packaging                   42,500          5,000        0.835%
Midon Restaurant                 42,500          5,000        0.835%
Moshe Isaac Foundation           20,000         20,000        0.393%
Richard Banach Profit Sharing    10,000          2,500        0.197%
Barry Weintraub                   5,000          5,000        0.098%
Barbara Banach                   10,000          7,500        0.197%
Dale Lucore                       4,000          4,000        0.079%
                                -------        -------        ------
                                464,000        349,000        9.118%

- -------
<FN>
*less than 1% unless otherwise indicated
</FN>
</TABLE>

      The  securities  offered  hereby may be sold from time to time directly by
the Selling Securityholders. Alternatively, the Selling Securityholders may from
time to time offer such securities through underwriters,  dealers or agents. The
distribution of securities by the Selling Securityholders may be effected in one
or more  transactions  that  may  take  place  on the  over-the-counter  market,
including ordinary broker's transactions,  privately-negotiated  transactions or
through  sales  to one or more  broker-dealers  for  resale  of such  shares  as
principals,  at market prices  prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related
to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Usual and customary or
specifically negotiated brokerage fees or commissions may be paid by the Selling
Securityholders  in  connection  with  such  sales of  securities.  The  Selling
Securityholders and intermediaries  through whom such securities are sold may be
deemed  "underwriters"  within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to
the securities offered,  and any profits realized or commissions received may be
deemed  underwriting  compensation.  The  Company  is not  aware of any  present
intentions of any Selling Stockholders to engage in any transactions with either
of the Representatives of this offering.
<PAGE>

      At the time a particular  offer of securities is made by or on behalf of a
Selling Securityholder, to the extent required, a prospectus will be distributed
which will set forth the  number of shares  being  offered  and the terms of the
offering, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, if
any, the purchase price paid by any  underwriter  for shares  purchased from the
Selling Securityholder and any discounts,  commissions or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers, and the proposed selling price to the public.

      Under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the  "Exchange
Act"),  and  the  regulations   thereunder,   any  person   participating  in  a
distribution of the securities of the Company offered by this Prospectus may not
simultaneously   engage  in  market-making   activities  with  respect  to  such
securities of the Company during the applicable  restricted  period (one or five
business  days)  before  the day of  pricing  of this  offering,  and  until the
distribution  is over.  In addition,  and without  limiting the  foregoing,  the
Selling Securityholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange
Act and the rules and  regulations  thereunder,  including  without  limitation,
Regulation  M,  and  Rules  100  through  105  thereunder,  in  connection  with
transactions  in  such  securities,  which  provisions  may  limit  the  time of
purchases and sales of such securities by the Selling Securityholders.

      Sales of securities by the Selling  Securityholders  or even the potential
of such sales would  likely have an adverse  effect on the market  prices of the
securities  offered  hereby.  As of the  date of  this  Prospectus,  the  freely
tradeable  securities  of the Company (the  "public  float") will be (i) 825,000
shares of Common Stock, and (ii) 825,000 Class A Warrants.

                            DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

Capital Stock

      The Company's  authorized  capital stock consists of 10,000,000  shares of
Common Stock,  $.001 par value per share and 500,000 shares of Preferred  Stock,
$.01 par value per share.

      Common Stock

      General.  The Company has  10,000,000  authorized  shares of Common Stock,
3,838,750 of which were issued and outstanding prior to the offering. All shares
of Common  Stock  currently  outstanding  are  validly  issued,  fully  paid and
non-assessable,  and all shares which are the subject of this  Prospectus,  when
issued and paid for pursuant to this  offering,  will be validly  issued,  fully
paid and non-assessable.

      Voting  Rights.  Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to
one  vote,  either  in person or by proxy,  at  meetings  of  shareholders.  The
Company's  Board  consists of three  classes  each of which serves for a term of
three years.  At each annual meeting of the  stockholders  the directors in only
one class will be elected.  The holders are not  permitted  to vote their shares
cumulatively.  Accordingly,  the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the
issued and outstanding  shares of Common Stock can elect all of the Directors of
the Company. See "Principal Stockholders".

      Dividend  Policy.  All shares of Common Stock are entitled to  participate
ratably in dividends  when and as declared by the  Company's  Board of Directors
out of the funds legally available  therefor.  Any such dividends may be paid in
cash,  property or additional  shares of Common Stock.  The Company has not paid
any dividends since its inception and presently  anticipates  that all earnings,

<PAGE>

if any, will be retained for  development of the Company's  business and that no
dividends  on the shares of Common  Stock will be  declared  in the  foreseeable
future.  Payment of future  dividends  will be subject to the  discretion of the
Company's  Board of Directors and will depend upon,  among other things,  future
earnings,  the  operating and  financial  condition of the Company,  its capital
requirements,  general business conditions and other pertinent facts.  Therefore
there can be no assurance that any dividends on the Common Stock will be paid in
the future. See "Dividend Policy".

      Miscellaneous  Rights  and  Provisions.  Holders  of Common  Stock have no
preemptive  or other  subscription  rights,  conversion  rights,  redemption  or
sinking fund provisions. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution, whether
voluntary or involuntary, of the Company, each share of Common Stock is entitled
to share  ratably in any assets  available  for  distribution  to holders of the
equity of the Company  after  satisfaction  of all  liabilities,  subject to the
rights of holders of Preferred Stock.

      Shares  Eligible for Future Sale.  Upon  completion of this offering,  the
Company will have 4,663,750 shares of Common Stock outstanding (4,787,500 shares
if the  Representative's  over-allotment  option is exercised in full). Of these
shares,  the  825,000  shares  sold  in this  offering  (948,750  shares  if the
Representative's  over-allotment  option is  exercised  in full)  will be freely
tradeable without restriction or further  registration under the Securities Act,
except for any shares purchased by an "affiliate" of the Company (in general,  a
person who has a control relationship with the Company) which will be subject to
the  limitations of Rule 144 adopted under the Securities  Act.  Another 349,000
shares are registered under the registration  statement of which this Prospectus
forms a part and are freely  saleable under the  Securities  Act, but may not be
transferred for  twenty-four  (24) months from the date of this prospectus or at
such  earlier  date  as  may be  permitted  by  the  Representative.  All of the
remaining  shares  are  deemed to be  "restricted  securities,"  as that term is
defined under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

      In general,  under Rule 144 as effective on April 29, 1997, subject to the
satisfaction of certain other conditions,  commencing ninety (90) days after the
effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part,
a person,  including an  affiliate  of the Company (or persons  whose shares are
aggregated), who has owned restricted shares of Common Stock beneficially for at
least one year is entitled to sell,  within any three-month  period, a number of
shares that does not exceed the greater of 1% of the total number of outstanding
shares of the same class or the average  weekly  trading volume of the Company's
Common Stock on all exchanges  and/or reported  through the automated  quotation
system of a registered  securities  association  during the four calendar  weeks
preceding  the date on which  notice of the sale is filed  with the  Commission.
Sales  under Rule 144 are also  subject to  certain  manner of sale  provisions,
notice requirements and the availability of current public information about the
Company.  A person who has not been an affiliate of the Company for at least the
three  months  immediately  preceding  the sale and who has  beneficially  owned
shares of Common  Stock for at least two years is  entitled  to sell such shares
under Rule 144 without regard to any of the limitations described above.

      3,501,000 of the shares of restricted  stock  presently  outstanding  have
been held at least one year. Accordingly, commencing following the completion of
the offering all 3,501,000  shares would be eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144.  However,  pursuant  to the terms of the  Underwriting  Agreement,  certain
Selling  Securityholders  owning an aggregate of 212,500  shares of Common Stock
have  agreed not to sell any of their  shares for a period of  twenty-four  (24)
months  following the date of this prospectus  without the prior written consent
of the Representative. The sale of any substantial number of these shares in the
public market could  adversely  affect  prevailing  market prices  following the
offering.
<PAGE>

      No predictions can be made as to the effect,  if any, that sales of shares
under Rule 144 or otherwise or the  availability of shares for sale will have on
the market, if any,  prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial  amounts
of the Common Stock  pursuant to Rule 144 or otherwise may adversely  affect the
market price of the Common Stock or the Warrants offered hereby.

      Class A Warrants

      The Class A Warrants  offered  hereby  will be issued in  registered  form
under a warrant  agreement  (the  "Warrant  Agreement")  between the Company and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent (the "Warrant Agent").
The  following  summary of the  provisions  of the  Warrants is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Warrant  Agreement,  a copy of which is filed as an
exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part.

      Rights to Purchase  Common Stock.  Each Class A Warrant will be separately
tradeable and will entitle the  registered  holder thereof to purchase one share
of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as described below) for a period of three
years  commencing on the effective date of this  Prospectus at a price of $10.00
per share of  Common  Stock.  A holder of Class A  Warrants  may  exercise  such
warrants by surrendering the certificate evidencing such warrants to the Warrant
Agent,  together  with the form of election  to purchase on the reverse  side of
such certificate properly completed and executed and the payment of the exercise
price and any  transfer  tax. If less than all of the  warrants  evidenced  by a
warrant  certificate  are exercised,  a new  certificate  will be issued for the
remaining number of warrants. Holders of the Class A Warrants may sell the Class
A Warrants if a market exists rather than exercise them.  However,  there can be
no assurance that a market will develop or continue as to such Class A Warrants.

      For a holder of a warrant to exercise the Class A Warrants,  there must be
a current  registration  statement on file with the Commission and various state
securities  commissions.  The Company  will be  required to file  post-effective
amendments to the  registration  statement when events require such  amendments.
While it is the  Company's  intention  to file  post-effective  amendments  when
necessary,  there is no assurance that the  registration  statement will be kept
effective. If the registration statement is not kept current for any reason, the
Class A Warrants will not be exercisable, and holders thereof may be deprived of
value.  Moreover,  if the shares of Common Stock underlying the Class A Warrants
are not registered or qualified for sale in the state in which a Class A Warrant
holder  resides,  such holder  might not be  permitted  to exercise  the Class A
Warrants.  If the Company is unable to qualify the Common Stock  underlying such
Class A Warrants for sale in certain  states,  holders of the Company's  Class A
Warrants  in those  states  will have no choice but to either  sell such Class A
Warrants or allow them to expire.

      The  Company  has  authorized  and  reserved  for  issuance  a  number  of
underlying  shares of Common Stock sufficient to provide for the exercise of the
Class A Warrants. When issued, each share of Common Stock will be fully paid and
nonassessable.

      Class A  Warrant  holders  will not have any  voting  or other  rights  as
shareholders  of the Company unless and until Class A Warrants are exercised and
shares issued pursuant thereto.

      Redemption  Rights.  Any or all of the Class A Warrants may be redeemed by
the Company at a price of $.01 per warrant,  upon the giving of not less than 30
days' nor more than 60 days'  written  notice at any time after the date of this
Prospectus,  provided  that the  closing  bid price of the Common  Stock for all
twenty (20)  consecutive  trading  days  ending  three (3) days of the notice of
redemption has equaled or exceeded  $12.00 per share.  The right to purchase the
Common Stock  represented by the Class A Warrants so called for redemption  will
be  forfeited  unless  the  Class A  Warrants  are  exercised  prior to the date

<PAGE>

specified in the foregoing  notice of redemption.  Any redemption of the Class A
Warrants  during the one year period  commencing on the date of this  Prospectus
shall require the consent of the Representative.

      Adjustments.  The exercise  price and the number of shares of Common Stock
issuable  upon the exercise of each Class A Warrant are subject to adjustment in
the  event  of a stock  dividend,  recapitalization,  merger,  consolidation  or
certain other events.

      For the life of the Class A Warrants,  the  holders  thereof are given the
opportunity,  at nominal  cost, to profit from a rise in the market price of the
Common Stock of the Company. The exercise of the Class A Warrants will result in
the  dilution of the then book value of the Common  Stock of the Company held by
the  public  investors  and  would  result  in a  dilution  of their  percentage
ownership of the Company. The terms upon which the Company may obtain additional
capital may be adversely  affected  through the period that the Class A Warrants
remain  exercisable.  The holders of these  Class A Warrants  may be expected to
exercise them at a time when the Company would,  in all  likelihood,  be able to
obtain equity  capital on terms more  favorable  than those  provided for by the
Class A Warrants.

      First Private Placement

      From  September  through  October 1996, the Company issued an aggregate of
42.5 Private  Placement  Units,  each Private  Placement  Unit  consisting  of a
$25,000  principal amount of Private Placement Notes and 5,000 Private Placement
Shares for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,062,500. The proceeds from the sale of
the Private Placement Units were used to pay pre-engineering expense and to fund
working  capital.  The  Company  also  has  registered  under  the  registration
statement  of  which  this  prospectus  forms a  part,  126,500  of the  Private
Placement Shares included in the Private  Placement Units. The Private Placement
Shares  are not  transferable  until the  earlier  of  twenty-four  (24)  months
following  the  date  of  this  prospectus  or at  such  earlier  date as may be
permitted by the Representative. See "Underwriting".

      Second Private Placement

      During May 1997,  the Company  issued an  aggregate  of 20 Second  Private
Placement  Units,  each Second Private  Placement  Unit  consisting of a $25,000
principal  amount of Second  Private  Placement  Notes and 5,000 Second  Private
Placement Shares for aggregate gross proceeds of $500,000. The proceeds from the
sale of the Second Private Placement Units were used to pay promotional expenses
incurred in  connection  with  entering  new markets  and  maintaining  existing
markets and to fund working capital. The Second Private Placement Shares are not
transferable  until the earlier of twenty-four (24) months following the date of
this   prospectus   or  at  such  earlier  date  as  may  be  permitted  by  the
Representative. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and "Underwriting".

      The Second  Private  Placement  Notes bear interest at a rate equal to 12%
per annum,  payable one year after the issuance of the Second Private  Placement
Notes and monthly in arrears  thereafter.  The Second  Private  Placement  Notes
mature on the earlier of (i) June 30,  1998,  or (ii) the  closing  date of this
offering; provided, that the maturity of the Second Private Placement Notes will
be further accelerated upon an Event of Default (as defined therein).


<PAGE>


      Additional Private Issuances

      From  July  through  October  1997,  the  Company  received   $608,750  in
connection with the private placement of its securities in consideration for the
issuance of 191,500 shares of Common Stock and notes  aggregating  $481,250 (the
"Notes").  The  proceeds  from  these  sales were used to fund  working  capital
requirements.

      The Notes bear  interest at a rate equal to 12% per annum,  payable on the
earlier  of (i)  June  30,  1998,  or (ii) the  closing  date of this  offering;
provided,  that the maturity of the Notes will be  accelerated  upon an Event of
Default (as defined therein).

      Preferred Stock

      The Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation,  as amended,  authorizes the
issuance of up to 500,000 shares of preferred  stock,  par value $.01 per share.
Currently there are no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

      The issuance of Preferred  Stock by the Board of Directors could adversely
affect the rights of holders of shares of Common Stock by,  among other  things,
establishing  preferential  dividends,  liquidation  rights or voting power. The
issuance of Preferred  Stock could be used to discourage  or prevent  efforts to
acquire  control of the  Company  through  the  acquisition  of shares of Common
Stock.

Certain Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation

      The Company's  Certificate of Incorporation  contains  certain  provisions
which may be deemed to be  "anti-takeover" in nature in that such provisions may
deter,  discourage  or make more  difficult  the  assumption  of  control of the
Company  by  another  entity or  person.  In  addition  to the  ability to issue
Preferred Stock, these provisions are as follows:

      A vote of 66-2/3% of the  stockholders  is required by the  Certificate of
Incorporation  in order to approve certain  transactions  including  mergers and
sales or transfers of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

      The Company's  By-laws  provide that the members of the Board of Directors
of the Company be  classified  into three  classes:  Class I (which  consists of
Stanley   Abrams)  will  serve  until  the  Company's  1997  Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders.  Class II (which  consists of James  Woodley) will serve until the
Company's  1998 Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders.  Class III (which  consists of
Arthur  Rosenberg)  will  serve  until the  Company's  1999  Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders.  After their initial  staggered terms, the term of each class will
run for three years and expire at successive  annual  meetings of  stockholders.
Accordingly,  it is expected that it would take a minimum of two annual meetings
of  stockholders  to  change a  majority  of the  Board of  Directors.  Further,
directors may only be removed for cause prior to the expiration of their term of
office.

      The   Delaware   General   Corporation   Law  further   contains   certain
anti-takeover  provisions.  Section 203 of the Delaware General  Corporation Law
provides, with certain exceptions, that a Delaware corporation may not engage in
any of a broad range of business combinations with a person who owns 15% or more
of the corporation's  outstanding voting stock (an "interested stockholder") for

<PAGE>

a period of three  years  from the date that such  person  became an  interested
stockholder  unless:  (i) the  transaction  resulting in a person's  becoming an
interested stockholder,  or the business combination is approved by the board of
directors  of  the   corporation   before  the  person   becomes  an  interested
stockholder;  (ii)  the  interested  stockholder  acquires  85% or  more  of the
outstanding  voting stock of the corporation  (excluding shares owned by persons
who are both  officers  and  directors  of the  corporation,  and shares held by
certain employee stock ownership  plans);  or (iii) the business  combination is
approved by the corporation's  board of directors and by the holders of at least
66 2/3% of the  corporation's  outstanding  voting stock at an annual or special
meeting, excluding shares owned by the interested stockholder.

      Transfer Agent

      The  transfer  agent  and  registrar  for the  Company's  Common  Stock is
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, 6201 15th Avenue,  Brooklyn, New York
11219.


                                  UNDERWRITING

      Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  contained  in  the  underwriting
agreement  between the  Company  and the  Underwriters  named  below,  for which
Millennium  Securities  Corp.  is  acting  as  Representative  (a copy of  which
agreement  is filed as an exhibit to the  Registration  Statement  of which this
Prospectus  forms  a  part),  the  Company  has  agreed  to  sell to each of the
Underwriters  named below, and each of such Underwriters has severally agreed to
purchase the number of shares of Common  Stock and  Warrants set forth  opposite
its name. All 825,000 shares of Common Stock and 825,000  Warrants  offered must
be  purchased by the  Underwriters  if any are  purchased.  The shares of Common
Stock and Warrants are being offered by the Underwriters  subject to prior sale,
when,  as and if delivered to and  accepted by the  Underwriters  and subject to
approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        Number      Number       
      Underwriter                     of Shares   of Warrants
      -----------                     ---------   -----------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>   

  
                                       -------      ------- 
      Total                            825,000      825,000
                                       =======      ======= 
</TABLE>

      The Representative  has advised the Company that the Underwriters  propose
to offer the  shares  of Common  Stock  and the  Warrants  to the  public at the
offering  prices  set  forth  on  the  cover  page  of  this   prospectus.   The
Representative has further advised the Company that the Underwriters  propose to
offer the Securities  through members of the National  Association of Securities
Dealers,  Inc.  ("NASD"),  and may allow a  concession,  in their  discretion to
certain dealers who are members of the NASD and who agree to sell the Securities
in conformity with the NASD Conduct Rules. Such concessions shall not exceed the
amount of the underwriting discount that the Underwriters are to receive.

      The  Company  has  granted the  Underwriters  an option,  exercisable  for
forty-five (45) days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 123,750
shares of Common Stock and 123,750 Warrants,  at the public offering prices less
the underwriting  discounts set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.  The
Underwriters  may exercise  this option solely to cover  over-allotments  in the
sale of the shares of Common Stock and Warrants offered hereby.
<PAGE>

      The Company has agreed to indemnify  the  Representative  against  certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments it may be required to make in respect  thereof.  It is the  position of
the Commission that  indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act is
against  public  policy as expressed in the  Securities  Act and is,  therefore,
unenforceable.

      The Company has agreed to pay the Representative a non-accountable expense
allowance of 3% of the  aggregate  offering  price (of which $50,000 has already
been  received)  with respect to the Common  Stock and Class A Warrants  offered
hereby  (and  any  securities   purchased   pursuant  to  the   Representative's
over-allotment  option).  Under certain  circumstances,  the expenses previously
paid by the Company are nonrefundable if the offering is terminated or otherwise
does not proceed.

      The Company has also agreed to pay the  Representative a consulting fee of
$50,000 for financial  consulting  services to be performed over a period of two
(2) years.

      Upon the exercise  after one year  following  the date of this offering of
any  Warrant  included  in  the  Units,  the  Company  has  agreed  to  pay  the
Representative  a fee of 3% of the aggregate  exercise  price of such warrant if
(i) the market price of the Company's  Common Stock is greater than the exercise
price of such Warrant on the date of exercise; (ii) the exercise of such Warrant
was solicited by the  Representative and the holder of such Warrant so states in
writing and designates in writing that the Representative is entitled to receive
such  compensation,  (iii) such Warrant is not held in a discretionary  account;
and (iv) the  solicitation of such Warrant was not in violation of Regulation M,
and Rules 100 through 105 thereunder promulgated under the Exchange Act.

      The Company has agreed to sell to the Representative or its designees,  at
a price of $250, warrants (the "Representative's  Warrants") to purchase 125,000
shares of Common  Stock of the Company at an  exercise  price of $7.80 per share
and  125,000  Warrants at an exercise  price of $.26 per  warrant.  Other than a
higher exercise price and the redemption  feature,  the Warrants  underlying the
Representative's  Warrants are identical in all respects to the Warrants offered
to the  public  hereby,  as to which  they will be  treated  pari passu with the
public  Warrants.  The Warrants  issuable upon exercise of the  Representative's
Warrants  will entitle the holder to purchase  shares of Common Stock at a price
of $7.80 per share or 120% of the then exercise price of the Warrants offered to
the pubic hereby, for a period of three years commencing on the date hereof. The
Representative's  Warrants will not be  transferable  for one year from the date
hereof  except to officers  and partners of the  Underwriters  or members of the
selling group and are  exercisable  during the four year period  commencing  one
year from the date of this  Prospectus.  Any profit  realized upon any resale of
the  Representative's  Warrants  or upon the sale of the  underlying  securities
thereof  may be  deemed  to be an  additional  underwriter's  compensation.  The
Company has agreed to register (or file a post-effective  registration amendment
with respect to any registration  statement  registering)  the  Representative's
Warrant and the underlying securities under the Securities Act at its expense on
one occasion  during the five years following the date of this Prospectus and at
the expense of the holders thereof.  The Company has also agreed to "piggy-back"
registration rights for the holders of the  Representative's  Stock Warrants and
the  Representative's  Warrants and the  underlying  securities at the Company's
expense during the six (6) years following the date of this Prospectus.


<PAGE>


      The  Company  has also  agreed,  for a period  of not less  than two years
commencing on the date of this offering,  at the request of the  Representative,
to nominate and use its best  efforts to elect a designee of the  Representative
to the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company  or to  appoint a  designee  of the
Representative  as  a  non-voting  observer  of  the  Board  of  Directors.  The
Representative has not yet exercised its right to designate such person.


      The foregoing does not purport to be a complete statement of the terms and
conditions of the Underwriting Agreement and related documents,  copies of which
are  on  file  at the  offices  of  the  Representative,  the  Company  and  the
Commission, and forms of which have been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.

      The Representative  has informed the Company that the Representative  does
not  intend  to  confirm   sales  to  any  accounts   over  which  it  exercises
discretionary authority.

      The Company,  and its officers  and  directors,  have agreed not to offer,
pledge,  sell,  contract to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise
dispose of,  directly or indirectly,  any securities of the Company for a period
of twenty-four (24) months after the date of this Prospectus,  without the prior
written  consent of the  Representative,  except pursuant to the exercise of the
Representative's  over-allotment  option,  or the  exercise  of the  Warrants or
currently outstanding stock options.

      Prior to this  offering,  there has been no market for the Common Stock or
the  Warrants.  Although the Company will apply to list the Common Stock and the
Warrants on the Nasdaq SmallCap Stock Market,  there can be no assurance that an
active trading market will develop for the Common Stock or the Warrants,  or, if
developed,  that it will be  maintained.  In addition,  the Common Stock and the
Warrants will be separately transferable immediately.

      The initial  public  offering  price has been  arbitrarily  determined  by
negotiations  between  the  Company  and the  Representative.  Among the factors
contained in  determining  the initial  public  offering  price,  in addition to
prevailing market conditions, were the Company's capital structure, estimates of
its business potential and earnings prospects,  an assessment of its management,
and the  consideration  of the above factors in relation to market  valuation of
companies in related businesses.

     In  connection  with  the  Second  Private  Placement,   the  Company  paid
Millennium Securities Corp., one of the underwriters,  as Placement Agent, 3% of
the gross proceeds of the entire offering as a non-accountable expense allowance
and a 10% commission on the sales of the Second Private Placement Units.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS

      The  validity of the  issuance of the  securities  offered  hereby will be
passed  upon  for  the  Company  by the law  firm of  Blau,  Kramer,  Wactlar  &
Lieberman, P.C., Jericho, New York. The law firm of Beckman & Millman, P.C., New
York,  New York will pass on certain  aspects of this  offering on behalf of the
Representative.  Employees of Blau,  Kramer,  Wactlar & Lieberman,  P. C. own an
aggregate of 225,000 shares of Common Stock.
<PAGE>

                                     EXPERTS

      The audited financial  statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 and the fiscal  period ended  December 31, 1995,  are included
herein and in the  registration  statement  in reliance  upon the report,  which
report  includes an emphasis  paragraph  regarding the ability of the Company to
continue  as a going  concern,  of  Bailey,  Saetveit & Co.,  P.C.,  independent
certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority
of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

      The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
SB-2,  pursuant to the Securities Act, with respect to the securities offered by
this  Prospectus.  This  Prospectus  does not contain all of the information set
forth in said  registration  statement,  and the exhibits  thereto.  For further
information  with  respect to the Company  and the  securities  offered  hereby,
reference  is made to said  registration  statement  and  exhibits  which may be
inspected  without  charge at the  Commission's  principal  office at  Judiciary
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.

     As of the date of this  Prospectus,  the  Company  will be  subject  to the
informational  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and, in accordance therewith,  shall file reports and other information with the
Commission.  Such reports and other  information  can be inspected and copied at
the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza,
450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at its following regional
offices:   Suite  788,  1375  Peachtree  St.  N.E.,   Atlanta,   Georgia  30367,
Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60621-2511 and 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Also,
copies of such  material  can be  obtained at  prescribed  rates from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,
Washington,   D.C.   20549,  or  at  the   Commission's   Web  site  located  at
http:\\www.sec.gov.

<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (A Development Stage Company)

                              Financial Statements
                                       and
                          Independent Auditors' Report
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
                                       and
                           September 30, 1997 and 1996
                             Unaudited Stub Periods

<PAGE>

                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (A Development Stage Company)
                         Index to Financial Statements





          Independent Auditors' Report                      1
          
          Balance Sheets                                    2

          Statements of Loss                                3

          Statements of Stockholders' Deficit               4-5

          Statements of Cash Flows                          6

          Notes to Financial Statements                     7-14




<PAGE>

                          Independent Auditors' Report


To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Ripe Touch Greenhouses, Inc.
Castle Rock, Colorado


We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Ripe Touch Greenhouses,  Inc.
(a development  stage company) as of December 31, 1996 and December 31 1995, and
the related statements of loss,  stockholders'  deficit,  and cash flows for the
year  ended  December  31,  1996  and for  the  period  from  October  26,  1995
(inception)  to  December  31,  1995.   These   financial   statements  are  the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Ripe Touch Greenhouses, Inc. as
of December 31, 1996 and December  31, 1995,  and the results of its  operations
and its cash flows for the year ended  December 31, 1996 and for the period from
October 26, 1995  (inception) to December 31, 1995 in conformity  with generally
accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in note 15 to the financial statements, the Company has been in the
development  stage since its  inception,  October 26, 1995.  Realization  of its
assets is dependent upon the Company's ability to successfully complete both its
initial public offering and closing of long-term  financing,  and the success of
future operations. The unpredictability of these future events raise substantial
doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.  The financial
statements do not include any adjustments  that might result from the outcome of
this uncertainty.





April 26, 1997


Bailey Saetveit & Co., P.C.
Englewood, Colorado

<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (A Development Stage Company)

                                 Balance Sheets

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       September          December           December
                                                                        30, 1997          31, 1996           31, 1995
                                                                      (Unaudited)         (Audited)          (Audited)
                                                                      -----------         ---------          ---------
<S>                                                                   <C>                <C>                <C>
               ASSETS

Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                        $   214,992        $    72,012        $       985
     Accounts receivable - related party (net of allowance
        for doubtful accounts of $0 in 1997, 1996 and 1995)                47,218             19,504
     Deferred offering costs                                               25,000                 --                870
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------
        Total current assets                                              287,210             91,516              1,855
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------
Property and equipment - net                                              608,449            492,366             15,000
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------
Other assets:
     Construction in progress                                             492,504            338,039             71,516
     Prepaid offering costs                                                34,375             74,375                 --
     Deposits                                                             100,000             50,000                 --
     Up-front long-term debt financing fees                                25,000             25,000              5,000
     Organization costs (net of amortization of $1,924, $1,171
        and $166 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively)                      3,096              3,849              4,853
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------
                                                                          654,975            491,263             81,369
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------
                                                                      $ 1,550,634        $ 1,075,145        $    98,224
                                                                      ===========        ===========        ===========

               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt                                $    20,959        $   225,574        $        --
     Bridge loans payable (net of discount of $133,463 in 1997,
        $279,745 in 1996, and $0 in 1995)                               1,429,037            782,755                 --
     Note payable - related party                                              --             50,000            117,000
     Accounts payable                                                     316,138            274,873            110,509
     Accrued expenses                                                     326,026            133,046             30,132
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------
        Total current liabilities                                       2,092,160          1,466,248            257,641
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------
Long-term debt                                                            223,930             16,646                 --
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------
Commitments and contingencies                                                  --                 --                 --

Stockholders' deficiency
     Preferred stock, 500,000 shares of $.01 par value
        authorized, no shares issued or outstanding                            --                 --                 --
     Common stock, 10,000,000 shares of $.001 par value
        authorized, 3,802,500,  3,501,000, and 3,000,000
        shares issued and outstanding as of June 30,
        1997, December 31, 1996, and 1995, respectively                     3,803              3,501              3,000
     Additional paid-in capital                                           818,300            459,601                 --
     Deficit accumulated during the development stage                  (1,587,559)          (870,851)          (162,417)
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------

        Total stockholders' deficit                                      (765,456)          (407,749)          (159,417)
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------

                                                                      $ 1,550,634        $ 1,075,145        $    98,224
                                                                      ===========        ===========        ===========
</TABLE>
                       See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (A Development Stage Company)

                               Statements of Loss

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             For the                                                                     For the
                                           period from                                                                 period from
                                            inception         For the nine month period ended                           inception
                                          (October 26,                 September 30,                For the year       (October 26,
                                          1995) to Sep-       -------------------------------        ended De-        1995) to De-
                                         tember 30, 1997          1997               1996          cember 31, 1996   cember 31, 1995
                                           (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)         (Audited)          (Audited)
                                         ---------------      -----------        -----------       ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                      <C>                  <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>
Sales                                      $   132,786        $   132,786        $        --        $        --        $        --

Cost of sales                                  185,592            156,238              2,500             29,354                 --
                                           -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

       Gross profit                            (52,806)           (23,452)            (2,500)           (29,354)                --
                                           -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

General and administrative expenses:
    Officers wages and benefits                333,667            131,915            129,180            173,045             28,707
    Consulting fees                            483,065             89,567            120,400            272,227            121,271
    Rent expense                                41,400             16,200             16,200             21,600              3,600
    Travel and entertainment                    29,402             15,197              5,783             14,205                 --
    Legal and accounting                        21,870             11,050                 --             10,820                 --
    Automobile expense                          25,298             10,790              3,631             14,254                254
    Telephone                                   14,043              6,831              3,859              7,004                208
    Miscellaneous                               10,760              2,274              3,172              8,414                 72
    Postage & Delivery                           6,767                289                 --              6,478                 --
    Office supplies and equipment                2,025                 --                 --              2,025                 --
    Amortization                                 1,923                753                 --              1,004                166
                                           -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

       Total general and admin-
          istrative expense                    970,220            284,866            282,225            531,076            154,278
                                           -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

       Loss from operations                 (1,023,026)          (308,318)          (284,725)          (560,430)          (154,278)
                                           -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

Other income (expenses)
    Interest income                              1,175                 --                541              1,175                 --
    Interest expense                          (565,708)          (408,390)           (36,133)          (149,179)            (8,139)
                                           -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

                                              (564,533)          (408,390)           (35,592)          (148,004)            (8,139)
                                           -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

       Loss before income taxes             (1,587,559)          (716,708)          (320,317)          (708,434)          (162,417)

Income tax expense                                  --                 --                 --                 --                 --
                                           -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

       Net loss                            $(1,587,559)       $  (716,708)       $  (320,317)       $  (708,434)       $  (162,417)
                                           ===========        ===========        ===========        ===========        ===========


Shares outstanding                           3,802,500          3,802,500          3,409,500          3,501,000          3,000,000
                                           -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------

Loss per share                             $  (0.41750)       $  (0.18848)       $  (0.09395)       $  (0.20235)       $  (0.05414)
                                           ===========        ===========        ===========        ===========        ===========
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>


                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (A Development Stage Company)

                       Statement of Stockholders' Deficit
  For the period from inception (October 26, 1995) to December 31, 1995, year
                          ended December 31, 1996, and
           the "unaudited" nine month period ended September 30, 1997



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Preferred Stock           Common Stock
                                                          ---------------------   ---------------------    Additional
                                              Date of      Number       $.01        Number      $.001        Paid-in     Accumulated
                                            Transaction   of Shares   Par Value   of Shares   Par Value      Capital       Deficit
                                            -----------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------      -------       -------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Balance, October 25, 1995 (inception)                          --     $      --          --   $      --    $       --   $        --

Stock issued for services in connection        10/26/95        --            --   2,775,000       2,775            --            --
     with formation of the Company
     ($0.001 per share)

Stock issued for legal services                10/26/95        --            --     225,000         225            --            --
     ($0.001 per share)

Net loss for the period ended
     December 31, 1995                         12/31/95        --            --          --          --            --      (162,417)
                                                            -----     ---------   ---------   ---------    ----------   -----------

Balances, December 31, 1995 (audited)                          --            --   3,000,000       3,000            --      (162,417)
                                                            -----     ---------   ---------   ---------    ----------   -----------

Stock issued for cash                            8/2/96        --            --     132,500         133       132,368            --
     ($1.00 per share)

Stock issued for consulting services            9/27/96        --            --     152,000         152       151,848            --
     ($1.00 per share)

Stock issued in connection with                 9/27/96        --            --     125,000         125       124,875            --
     issuance of bridge loans
     ($1.00 per share)

Legal costs of private placement                9/30/96        --            --          --          --       (40,898)           --

Stock issued in connection with                 11/1/96        --            --      80,000          80        79,920            --
     issuance of bridge loans
     ($1.00 per share)

Stock issued in connection with                12/16/96        --            --       7,500           7         7,492            --
     issuance of bridge loans
     ($1.00 per share)

Stock issued in connection with                12/18/96        --            --       4,000           4         3,996            --
     land purchase ($1.00 per share)

Net loss for the year ended
     December 31, 1996                         12/31/96        --            --          --          --            --      (708,434)
                                                            -----     ---------   ---------   ---------    ----------   -----------

Balances, December 31, 1996 (audited)                          --            --   3,501,000       3,501       459,601      (870,851)
                                                            -----     ---------   ---------   ---------    ----------   -----------
</TABLE>


                       See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (A Development Stage Company)

                       Statement of Stockholders' Deficit
  For the period from inception (October 26, 1995) to December 31, 1995, year
                          ended December 31, 1996, and
           the "unaudited" nine month period ended September 30, 1997
                                   "Continued"

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Preferred Stock           Common Stock
                                                          ---------------------   ---------------------    Additional
                                              Date of      Number       $.01        Number      $.001        Paid-in     Accumulated
                                            Transaction   of Shares   Par Value   of Shares   Par Value      Capital       Deficit
                                            -----------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------      -------       -------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Stock issued in connection with            6/18-9/30/97        --            --     100,000         100        99,900            --
     issuance of bridge loans
     ($1.00 per share)

Stock issued for consulting services             7/1/97        --            --      27,500          28        27,472            --
     ($1.00 per share)

Stock issued for consulting services            8/15/97        --            --     100,000         100        99,900            --
     ($1.00 per share)

Stock issued in connection with                 8/20/97        --            --       4,000           4         3,996            --
     land purchase ($1.00 per share)

Stock issued for cash                       8/22-9/9/97        --            --      57,500          58       114,943            --
     ($2.00 per share)

Stock issued for cash                           9/15/97        --            --      12,500          12        12,488            --
     ($1.00 per share)

Net loss for the nine month period
     ended September 30, 1997                   9/30/97        --            --          --          --            --      (716,708)
                                                            -----     ---------   ---------   ---------    ----------   -----------

Balances, September 30, 1997 (unaudited)                       --     $      --   3,802,500   $   3,803    $  818,300   $(1,587,559)
                                                            -----     ---------   ---------   ---------    ----------   -----------
</TABLE>


                       See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (A Development Stage Company)

                            Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       For the                                                           For the
                                                     period from                                                       period from
                                                      inception     For the nine month period ended                     inception
                                                    (October 26,             September 30,            For the year     (October 26,
                                                    1995) to Sep-   -------------------------------    ended De-       1995) to De-
                                                   tember 30, 1997        1997          1996         cember 31, 1996 cember 31, 1995
                                                     (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)        (Audited)        (Audited)
                                                   ---------------  -------------------------------  --------------- ---------------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net loss                                          $(1,587,559)      $(716,708)    $(320,317)       $  (708,434)       $(162,417)
   Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
     net cash used by operating activities:
     Stock issued for services                           282,500         127,500       152,000            152,000            3,000
     Depreciation and amortization                        72,214          58,615           754             13,433              166
     Amortization of discount                            380,287         299,407            --             80,880
     Net change in assets and liabilities:
       Accounts receivable - related party               (47,218)        (27,714)       (5,935)           (18,634)            (870)
       Prepaid/deferred offering costs                   (59,375)         15,000            --            (74,375)              --
       Deposits                                         (100,000)        (50,000)           --            (50,000)              --
       Accounts payable                                  316,138          41,265       140,622            164,364          110,509
       Accrued expenses                                  326,026         192,980        62,575            102,914           30,132
                                                     -----------       ---------     ---------        -----------        ---------

         Net cash used by operating activities          (416,987)        (59,655)       29,699           (337,852)         (19,480)
                                                     -----------       ---------     ---------        -----------        ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Capitalized organizational costs                       (5,019)             --            --                 --           (5,019)
   Purchase of property and equipment                   (310,740)       (169,945)           --           (125,795)         (15,000)
   Construction in progress                             (492,504)       (154,465)     (228,534)          (266,523)         (71,516)
                                                     -----------       ---------     ---------        -----------        ---------

         Net cash used by investing activities          (808,263)       (324,410)     (228,534)          (392,318)         (91,535)
                                                     -----------       ---------     ---------        -----------        ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
   Up-front long-term debt financing fees                (25,000)             --       (20,000)           (20,000)          (5,000)
   Net loans from related parties                             --         (50,000)     (117,000)           (67,000)         117,000
   Proceeds from bridge loans                          1,562,500         500,000       625,000          1,062,500               --
   Discount on bridge loans in connection
     with issuance of stock                             (513,750)       (153,125)     (125,000)          (360,625)              --
   Proceeds from long-term debt                          250,000         250,000            --                 --               --
   Payments on long-term debt                           (365,110)       (247,330)           --           (117,780)              --
   Legal fees charged to proceeds from
     private placement                                   (40,898)             --       (40,898)           (40,898)              --
   Issuance of common stock                              572,500         227,500       257,500            345,000               --
                                                     -----------       ---------     ---------        -----------        ---------

         Net cash provided by financing
           activities                                  1,440,242         527,045       579,602            801,197          112,000
                                                     -----------       ---------     ---------        -----------        ---------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                214,992         142,980       380,767             71,027              985
                                                     -----------       ---------     ---------        -----------        ---------

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                --          72,012           985                985               --
                                                     -----------       ---------     ---------        -----------        ---------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period             $   214,992       $ 214,992     $ 381,752        $    72,012        $     985
                                                     ===========       =========     =========        ===========        =========

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
   Cash paid during the period for:
     Interest                                        $     8,575       $   6,354     $      --        $     2,221        $      --
                                                     ===========       =========     =========        ===========        =========

     Income taxes                                    $        --       $      --     $      --        $        --        $      --
                                                     ===========       =========     =========        ===========        =========
</TABLE>
                       See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>


                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (a Development Stage Company)

                          Notes to Financial Statements
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
  (Information as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997 is
                                   unaudited)

   1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         Development Stage Activities

         Ripe Touch Greenhouses, Inc. (the "Company"), is a Delaware corporation
         and has been in the development stage since its formation on October
         26, 1995. The Company plans to construct and operate a greenhouse
         outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado for production and sale of
         hydroponic, naturally vine ripened tomatoes. The facilities will be
         powered by three 1,000 BHP thermal combustors using used tires as a
         fuel source. The combustors will generate the heat for the greenhouse
         as well as the steam necessary to produce five megawatts of
         electricity. In addition to revenues from the sale of tomatoes, the
         Company anticipates receiving revenue from the sale of electricity
         generated in excess of the greenhouse requirements.

         The construction of the greenhouse and purchase of the thermal
         combustors is intended to be financed through the sale of approximately
         $15 million of ten year notes to a lending institution and the sale of
         approximately $5 million of common stock in the Company's initial
         public offering.

         Accounting Method

         The Company records income and expenses on the accrual method. As of
         September 30, 1997 the Company had earned $132,786 in revenues
         associated with the tire tipping fees.

         Fiscal Year

         The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.

         Property and Equipment and Related Depreciation

         Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided
         using the straight-line method. The Company uses an estimated useful
         life of 5 years to depreciate machinery and equipment.

         Deferred Offering Costs

         Costs associated with the Company's private placement have been charged
         to additional paid-in capital. The Company had prepaid certain costs
         associated with its proposed public offering which are included in
         other assets. It is the Company's policy to classify costs associated
         with the proposed offering to deferred offering costs and charge
         against the proceeds upon completion of the offering.

         Loss Per Share

         Loss per share was computed assuming all shares outstanding at the end
         of the period were outstanding during the entire period.

         Organization Costs

         Costs incurred in organizing the Company have been capitalized and are
         being amortized over a sixty-month period.

<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (a Development Stage Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
  (Information as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997 is
                                   unaudited)

   1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED

         Income Taxes

         Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed annually for
         differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and
         liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the
         future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in
         which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation
         allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets
         to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the tax
         payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during
         the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

         Cash Equivalents

         The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with
         an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

         Advertising Costs

         The Company expenses non-direct advertising costs as incurred. The
         Company has not incurred any direct response advertising costs since
         its inception that should be capitalized and deferred to future
         periods. Total advertising costs for the period ended September 30,
         1997 and the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 were $0, $128 and
         $0, respectively.

         Use of Estimates

         The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
         accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
         and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
         liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
         date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
         and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
         from those estimates.

   2.    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

         As of September 30, 1997, 3,802,500 shares of the Company's $.001 par
         value common stock were issued and outstanding. The outstanding shares
         include 312,500 shares which were issued in connection with the
         Company's private placement memorandums where $1,562,500 was raised in
         return for stock and $1,048,750 in bridge notes (note 8) payable (net
         of $513,750 discount).

         On July 25, 1996, the Company restated its certificate of
         incorporation. The restated certificate changes the number of shares
         the Company is authorized to issue from 5,000 shares of $.01 par value
         common stock to 10,500,000 shares, consisting of 10,000,000 shares of
         common stock with a par value of $.001 and 500,000 shares of preferred
         stock with a par value of $.01. Accordingly, the Company has restated
         the number of shares outstanding as of inception from 5,000 common
         shares to 3,000,000.

   3.    PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING

         The Company has entered into a firm underwriting agreement with
         Millennium Securities, Corp. ("Underwriter"). Pursuant to the terms of
         the firm underwriting agreement, the Underwriter has agreed to purchase
         between 825,000 and 948,750 units. A unit consists of one share of
         common stock and one warrant to purchase common stock at $10.00 per
         share for three years, unless earlier redeemed.
<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (a Development Stage Company)


                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
  (Information as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997 is
                                   unaudited)

   3.    PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING, CONTINUED

         The Underwriter is to receive an expense allowance of 3% of the gross
         proceeds, an underwriting discount of 10%, plus $50,000. In addition,
         the Underwriter will receive for the purchase price of $100 the option
         to purchase 125,000 units consisting of 125,000 shares and 125,000
         Class A warrants of the Company at $8.06 per unit exercisable for a
         period of four years from the date of the underwriting.

         Each share of the 825,000 shares of common stock being offered by the
         Company in its initial public offering comes with one detachable, non
         voting Class A warrant. Each Class A warrant entitles the registered
         holder to purchase one share of common stock for a period of three
         years commencing on the effective date of the offering at a price of
         $10.00 per share. Class A warrants are subject to redemption by the
         Company at a price of $.01 per warrant after given written notice at
         any time after the date of the prospectus, provided that the closing
         bid price of the common stock for a period of 20 consecutive trading
         days ending within three days of the notice of redemption has equaled
         or exceeded $12.00 per share.

   4.    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

         Following is a summary of property and equipment at September 30, 1997,
         December 31, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1997          1996        1995
                                             ---------     ---------     -------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>           <C>
         Land                                $ 188,045     $ 119,045     $15,000
         Building                              104,946            --          --
         Machinery and equipment               385,750       385,750          --
                                             ---------     ---------     -------

                                               678,741       504,795      15,000

         Less accumulated depreciation         (70,292)      (12,429)         --
                                             ---------     ---------     -------

                                             $ 608,449     $ 492,366     $15,000
                                             =========     =========     =======
</TABLE>

         Depreciation expense for the periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996
         and the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $57,862, $0, $12,429
         and $0, respectively.

   5.    CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

         The Company anticipates total construction costs of its facilities will
         be approximately $16.6 million. As of September 30, 1997, December 31,
         1996 and 1995, the Company had incurred preliminary engineering and
         construction management costs of $492,504, $338,039 and $71,516,
         respectively.

         The Company was issued a special use permit by the state of Colorado on
         June 21, 1996 and obtained approval of its designated land use from El
         Paso County, Colorado in October 1996.
<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (a Development Stage Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
  (Information as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997 is
                                   unaudited)

   6.    LONG-TERM DEBT

         Long-term debt at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 consists of
         the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 30,      December
                                                                                   1997           31, 1996
                                                                                ---------         ---------
<S>                                                                            <C>                <C>
         Doich International
             Payable in monthly principal and interest installments of
             $20,000 at prime plus 2% through January 1998.  The note
             is collateralized by the Company's tire shredder                          --         $ 242,220

         Colorado Housing and Finance Authority ("CHAFA")
             In May 1997 the Company refinanced its note with Doich
             International with CHAFA. The note is payable in monthly
             principal and interest installments of $2,531 at 4% through
             May 2007. The note is collateralized by the Company's tire
             shredder                                                             244,889                --

         Less current maturities                                                  (20,959)         (225,574)
                                                                                ---------         ---------

         Long-term debt                                                         $ 223,930         $  16,646
                                                                                =========         =========
</TABLE>

         Interest expense related to long-term debt for the periods ended
         September 30, 1997 and 1996, and year ended December 31, 1996 was
         $6,181, $0 and $2,221, respectively.

         Current maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 1996 and
         September 30, 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year ending         Year ending
                                                   December 31,       September 30,
                                                   ------------       -------------
<S>                                                <C>                <C>
                 1997                              $    225,574
                 1998                                    16,646       $     20,959
                 1999                                        --             21,813
                 2000                                        --             22,702
                 2001                                        --             23,627
                 2002                                        --             24,590
              thereafter                                     --            131,198
                                                   ------------       ------------

                                                   $    242,220       $    244,889
                                                   ============       ============
</TABLE>
   7.    LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

         The Company has a long-term incentive plan. Under the plan, the Company
         may issue stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock,
         performance grants, and any other type of award deemed to be consistent
         with the purpose of the plan to key employees and other key persons
         performing services for the Company. The Company may issue an aggregate
         of not more than 350,000 common shares, subject to modification in the
         event of a change in the Company's capitalization. As of September 30,
         1997, the Company had not issued any common shares in connection with
         its long-term incentive plan.
<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (a Development Stage Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
  (Information as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997 is
                                   unaudited)

   8.    BRIDGE NOTES PAYABLE

         Bridge notes payable at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996
         consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1997            1996
                                                                             -----------     -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>             <C>
             12% unsecured bridge notes, principal and interest due at
             maturity which is the earlier of September 30, 1997 or the
             effective date of the Company's initial public offering. The
             notes were issued in connection with the Company's first
             private placement memorandum. On October 24, 1997 the
             Company extended the maturity date of the notes to
             January 31, 1998.                                               $ 1,062,500     $ 1,062,500

             12% unsecured bridge notes, principal and interest due at
             maturity which is the earlier of June 30, 1998 or the
             effective date of the Company's initial public offering. The
             notes were issued in connection with the Company's second
             private placement memorandum.                                       500,000              --

             Less: discount on notes as of September 30, 1997 and
             December 31, 1996 (net of amortization of $299,407 and
             $80,880, respectively)                                             (133,463)       (279,745)
                                                                             -----------     -----------

             Bridge notes payable                                            $ 1,429,037     $   782,755
                                                                             ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

         Interest expense related to bridge notes payable for the periods ended
         September 30, 1997 and 1996, and year ended December 31, 1996 was
         $106,628, $617 and $28,030, respectively.

   9.    NOTES PAYABLE - RELATED PARTIES

         Notes payable - related parties consist of the following at September
         30, 1997, December 31, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997        1996        1995
                                                             ----------    -------    --------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>        <C>
         Nathaniel, Ltd.
             The Company has an unsecured promissory note
              payable on demand with interest at 8%.         $       --    $50,000          --

         Shareholder
             The Company has an unsecured promissory note
              payable on demand with interest at 8%.                 --         --     117,000
                                                             ----------    -------    --------

         Notes payable - related parties                     $       --    $50,000    $117,000
                                                             ==========    =======    ========
</TABLE>

         Interest expense relating to notes payable - related parties for the
         periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, and years ended December 31,
         1996 and 1995 was $0, $7,947, $7,947 and $189, respectively.

  10.    INCOME TAXES

         The Company's income tax expense for the periods ended September 30,
         1997 and 1996, and years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as
         follows:
<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (a Development Stage Company)


                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
  (Information as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997 is
                                   unaudited)

  10.    INCOME TAXES, CONTINUED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               September 30,      September 30,      December 31,      December 31,
                                                                   1997               1996               1996              1995
                                                                ---------          ---------          ---------          --------
<S>                                                            <C>                <C>                <C>               <C>
         Current income tax expense
           Federal                                              $      --          $      --          $      --          $     --
           State                                                       --                 --                 --                --
                                                                ---------          ---------          ---------          --------

         Current provision for income tax expense (benefits)           --                 --                 --                --
                                                                ---------          ---------          ---------          --------

         Deferred income tax expense (benefits)
           Federal                                               (241,200)          (103,400)          (228,800)          (43,400)
           State                                                  (37,300)           (16,000)           (35,400)           (8,100)
           Less valuation allowance                               278,500            119,400            264,200            51,500
                                                                ---------          ---------          ---------          --------

         Deferred provision for income taxes (benefits)                --                 --                 --                --
                                                                ---------          ---------          ---------          --------

         Total provision for income taxes (benefits)            $      --          $      --          $      --          $     --
                                                                =========          =========          =========          ========
</TABLE>

         As of September 30, 1997 and 1996, December 31, 1996 and 1995, the
         Company's deferred tax assets were offset entirely by its valuation
         allowances.

  11.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

         Rent

         The Company rents office space from both its president and
         secretary/treasurer at a cost of $800 and $1,000 per month on a
         month-to-month basis, respectively. Rent expense was $16,200, $16,200,
         $21,600 and $3,600 for the periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
         and years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. At September
         30, 1997, December 31, 1996 and 1995 accrued liabilities included
         unpaid rents of $41,400, $25,200 and $3,600, respectively.

         Accounts Receivable

         The Company had accounts receivable from a company under common
         control.

         Notes Payable

         The Company had notes payable to a shareholder and a Company under
         common control (note 9).

         Purchase of Thermal Combustors

         The Company is affiliated with Waste Conversion Systems, Inc. through
         common ownership. The Company plans to purchase its thermal combustors
         from a distributor of Waste Conversion Systems, Inc. at a cost of
         approximately $1,275,000.

<PAGE>
                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (a Development Stage Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
  (Information as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997 is
                                   unaudited)
  12.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

         Power Purchase Agreement

         The Company has a power purchase agreement with Tri-State Generation
         and Transmission Association, Inc. ("Tri-State"). The agreement will
         allow the Company to sell its entire output of capacity and energy
         (projected to be 5,000 kw) to Mountain View Electric Association, Inc.
         ("Mountain View"), a cooperative of Tri-State. The agreement calls for
         a capacity rate of $10.07 per kw for a 30 year term, to be extended at
         the option of the parties for two successive terms of 15 consecutive
         years. The agreement is cancelable at Tri-State's option if certain
         minimum deliveries are not maintained by the Company. Under the terms
         of the agreement the contract is terminated unless power is delivered
         by April 30, 1998.

         During 1995 the Company incurred $100,438 in consulting fees with
         Citizens Lehman Power ("Citizens"). The fees were related to the
         formation of the above power purchase agreement with Tri-State
         Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. Balances of $118,490,
         $118,490 and $108,389, including interest charges were due as of
         September 30, 1997, December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and
         accordingly, have been included in accounts payable.

         In addition to the full satisfaction of the above liability, management
         intends to issue 20,000 shares of the Company's common stock to
         Citizens in recognition of their cooperation in sustaining from
         collection proceedings, accordingly, a $20,000 liability has been
         recorded in accounts payable.

         Greenhouse Operation and Management Agreement

         On October 10, 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with
         Colorado Greenhouses LLC ("CG"), which is the operator of comparable
         greenhouses in Ft. Lupton, Brush, and Rifle, Colorado. CG will be
         responsible for providing consulting services during the design and
         construction of the greenhouses for which it will receive 3% of such
         subcontract prices.

         In addition, CG will operate and manage the greenhouses for a fee of
         $20,000 per month, (to be reduced to $7,500 per month when annual
         operating income exceeds $1.2 million) subject to a 5% escalation
         charge per year, plus an annual gross margin bonus of 14% of the
         greenhouses operating income. CG will also receive $.05 for each pound
         of produce sold. The term of the agreement is for ten years, and is
         renewable at the option of the parties on a year-to-year basis.

         Tire Shredding Agreement

         On April 15, 1997, the Company entered into two agreements with an
         individual and his controlled corporation. Under the terms of the
         agreement the individual is to receive 100,000 shares of common stock
         for past services which the Company has valued at $100,000. In
         addition, the agreement requires the Company issue stock options to the
         individual for 100,000 shares exercisable for two years at the initial
         public offering price. In addition, the Company has agreed to reimburse
         the individual's controlled corporation up to $10,000 per month for
         salaries and other expenses to operate and maintain a tire shredding
         operation at the Company's facilities. The Company has also agreed to
         pay fees to this individual and his company for consulting and other
         services of $3,000 per month when power generation begins. The tire
         shredding agreement has an initial period of 5 years with a required
         renewal subject to binding arbitration. The consulting agreement has an
         initial period of 10 years. Under the terms of the consulting agreement
         the individual will make a good faith effort to supply used tires to
         the Company.

         Consulting Agreement

         The Company has a three year consulting agreement with a shareholder.
         The agreement requires an annual compensation of $125,000 for the first
         year, $75,000 for the second year, and $100,000 for the third year to
         be paid to the shareholder.
<PAGE>


                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.
                          (a Development Stage Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Concluded
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
  (Information as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1997 is
                                   unaudited)

  12.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES, CONTINUED

         Officer Employment Contracts

         The Company has contracts with its president and secretary/treasurer
         for services through November 1998. The contracts require $95,000 to be
         paid to the president and $75,000 to be paid to the secretary/treasurer
         annually during the contract period. In addition, the officers may
         receive 3% of the Company's pre-tax income, not to exceed certain
         limits.

         Land Clean-up Fund

         As a condition of El Paso County, Colorado's acceptance of the
         Company's designated land use (note 5), the Company is to establish a
         $100,000 clean-up fund. As of September 30, 1997 this fund was fully
         funded.

         Going Concern

         The Company has been in the development stage since its inception,
         October 26, 1995. As shown in the accompanying financial statements,
         the Company incurred a net loss of $1,587,559 for the period from
         inception (October 26, 1995) to September 30, 1997. As of September 30,
         1997, current liabilities exceeded current assets by $1,804,950. Those
         factors, as well as the uncertainties regarding the ability of the
         Company to obtain long-term financing, and the successful completion of
         its initial public offering create an uncertainty about the Company's
         ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not
         include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is
         unable to continue as a going concern.

         In view of these matters, realization of the assets in the accompanying
         balance sheet is dependent upon success of its future operations and
         obtaining long-term financing for its greenhouse project, which in turn
         is dependent upon the successful completion of the Company's initial
         public offering. Management believes that actions presently being taken
         to satisfy the Company's financial requirements provide the opportunity
         for the Company to continue as a going concern.

  13.    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

         Non-cash investing and financing activities for the nine months ended
         September 30, 1997 and 1996, year ended December 31, 1996, and period
         ended December 31, 1995 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          September 30,    September 30,    December 31,    December 31,
                                                              1997             1996             1996            1995
                                                          -------------    -------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>
             Equipment acquired by long-term debt           $     --         $     --         $360,000         $   --
             Land acquired by common stock issuance            4,000               --            4,000             --
                                                            --------         --------         --------         ------

               Total non-cash investing activities          $  4,000         $     --         $364,000         $   --
                                                            ========         ========         ========         ======


             Stock issued for consulting services           $127,500         $152,000         $152,000         $3,000
                                                            ========         ========         ========         ======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>








No  dealer,  salesperson  or any other  person has been  authorized  to give any
information  or to make any  representations  in  connection  with this offering
other than those contained in this Prospectus.  Any information or presentations
not herein  contained,  if given or made, must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Company.  This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell
or a  solicitation  of an offer to buy any  security  other than the  securities
offered  by this  Prospectus,  nor  does it  constitute  an  offer  to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy the securities by any person in any jurisdiction
where  such  offer or  solicitation  is not  authorized,  or in which the person
making  such  offer is not  qualified  to do so, or to any  person to whom it is
unlawful to make such offer or  solicitation.  The  delivery of this  Prospectus
shall not, under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no
change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof.
- ---------------

            TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                        Page
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary . . . . . . . .       3
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . .       6
Use of Proceeds. . . . . . . . . .      12
Dilution . . . . . . . . . . . . .      13
Capitalization . . . . . . . . . .      14
Dividend Policy. . . . . . . . . .      15
Selected Financial Data. . . . . .      16
Management's Discussion and Analysis and
 of Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations  . . . . . . . . . . .      17
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . .      19
Management . . . . . . . . . . . .      24
Principal Stockholders . . . . . .      28
Certain Relationships and
       Related Transactions. . . .      29
Selling Securityholders. . . . . .      30
Description of Securities. . . . .      32
Underwriting . . . . . . . . . . .      36
Legal Matters. . . . . . . . . . .      39
Experts. . . . . . . . . . . . . .      39
Available Information. . . . . . .      39
Index to Financial Statements
Independent Auditor's Report 
</TABLE>
    

     Until , 1998 (90 days after the commencement of the offering),  all dealers
effecting  transactions  in the  Units,  whether  or not  participating  in this
distribution, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This delivery requirement
is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus  when acting
as Representatives and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.


<PAGE>



                                 825,000 Units
\






                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.









                                 ---------------

                                   PROSPECTUS
                                 ---------------












                           MILLENNIUM SECURITIES CORP.











                                     , 1998







<PAGE>





                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 24.  Indemnification of Directors and Offices

   See "Management -- Personal Liability and Indemnification of Directors".

Item 25.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

   The estimated  expenses of the distribution,  all of which are to be borne by
the Company, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
SEC Registration Fee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             $4,073
NASD Filing Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 *
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . .             35,000
Transfer Agent Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              5,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . .                 *
Legal Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 *
Printing and Engraving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             60,000
Representative's Non-Accountable
   Expense Allowance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 *
Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 *
                                                            ------------
   Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $    450,000
                                                            ============
- ---------
<FN>

* To be filed by amendment
</FN>
</TABLE>

Item 26.  Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

     1. In October 1995, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,775,000  shares of
Common Stock to founding stockholders.  This was a transaction by the issuer not
involving  any  public   offering   which  was  exempt  from  the   registration
requirements under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.

     2. In August 1996, the Company issued 225,000 shares of its Common Stock in
consideration of for services rendered.  This transaction by the Company did not
involve any public  offering and was exempt from the  registration  requirements
under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.

     3. In August 1996, the Company issued 152,000 shares of its Common Stock to
a consultant at a price of $1 per share. This transaction by the Company did not
involve any public  offering and was exempt from the  registration  requirements
under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.

     4. In August 1996, the Company issued 132,500 shares of its common stock to
four individuals.  These  transactions by the Company did not involve any public
offering and was exempt from the registration  requirements under the Securities
Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.
<PAGE>

     5. In August through September 1996, the Company sold $1,062,500  principal
amount of First Private  Placement  Units,  each Second  Private  Placement Unit
consisted  of one $25,000  principal  amount of 12%  promissory  notes and 5,000
shares  of  Common  Stock,  to 25  persons,  all of whom are  deemed  accredited
pursuant to Rule 501 of Regulation D, in private  transactions by the issuer not
involving any public offering which were exempt from  registration  requirements
under the  Securities  Act  pursuant  to Section  4(2)  thereof  and Rule 506 of
Regulation D promulgated pursuant thereto.

     6. In May 1997, the Company sold $50,000 principal amount of Second Private
Placement  Units,  each Second  Private  Placement Unit consisted of one $25,000
principal  amount of 12% promissory notes and 5,000 shares of Common Stock, to 1
persons,  (all of whom are deemed accredited  pursuant to Rule 501 of Regulation
D, in private transactions by the issuer not involving any public offering which
were exempt from registration  requirements under the Securities Act pursuant to
Section 4(2) thereof and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated pursuant thereto.

     7. From July through  October 1997 the Company sold an aggregate of 191,500
shares of Common Stock for an aggregate consideration of $608,750 to 33 persons,
all of whom are  deemed  accredited  pursuant  to Rule 501 of  Regulation  D, in
private  transactions by the issuer not involving any public offering which were
exempt from  registration  requirements  under the  Securities  Act  pursuant to
Section 4(2) thereof and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated pursuant thereto.


Item 27.  Exhibits.

   
1.1  Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
1.2  Form of  Agreement Among Underwriters.*
1.3  Form of Selling Agreement.*
3.1  Certificate of Incorporation  of the Registrant.*
3.2  By-laws of the Registrant.*
4.1  Specimen Common Stock Certificate.**
4.2  Form of Warrant Agreement (including Warrant Certificate).**
4.3  Form of Representative's Purchase Option.**
5.1  Form of Opinion  and Consent of Blau,  Kramer,  Wactlar &  Lieberman,  P.C.
     regarding the legality of the securities being registered.**
10.1 1996 Long Term Incentive Plan.*
10.2 Employment  Agreement  dated  November 1, 1997 between the  Registrant  and
     Stanley Abrams.**
10.3 Employment  Agreement  dated  November 1, 1997 between the  Registrant  and
     James Woodley.**
10.4 Consulting  Agreement  dated as of November 1, 1996 between the  Registrant
     and Srotnac Group, LLC.*
10.5 Operations  and  Maintenance  Agreement  dated  April 1, 1997  between  the
     Registrant and David Mehring.*
10.6 Greenhouse  Operation  and  Management  Agreement  dated  October  10, 1995
     between Registrant and Colorado Greenhouse CCC.
10.7 Agreement dated November 25, 1996 between Registrant and El Paso County.*
10.8 Agreement  dated  March 22,  1995  between  Registrant  and Tri State Power
     Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.*
10.9 Equipment Purchase Agreement dated December 14, 1995 between Registrant and
     Nathaniel Ltd.*
10.10 Form of First Private Placement Note.*
10.11 Form of First Private Placement Unit Subscription Agreement .*
10.12 Form of Second Private Placement Note.*
10.13 Form of Second Private Placement Unit Subscription Agreement .*
    

<PAGE>

   
10.14 Form of Additional Private Placement Subscription Agreement.*
10.15 Form of Additional Private Placement Note.*
23.1  Consent of Blau,  Kramer,  Wactlar & Lieberman,  P.C.  (included in 
      Exhibit 5.1).**
23.2  Consent of Bailey, Saetveit & Co., P.C.
25.1  Powers of Attorney.*
- -------
*     To be filed by Amendment
    

Item 28.  Undertakings.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors,  officers,  and controlling  persons of the small
business issuer pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,  the small
business  issuer has been  advised  that in the  opinion of the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission such  indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the  Securities  Act and is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In the event that a
claim for  indemnification  against such liabilities  (other than the payment by
the small business issuer of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the small business issuer in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities  being  registered,  the small business
issuer will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling  precedent,  submit  to a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the
question  whether  such  indemnification  by  it is  against  public  policy  as
expressed in the Securities  Act and will be governed by the final  adjudication
of such issue.

Registrant hereby undertakes that it will:

(1)  File,  during  any  period  in  which it  offers  or  sells  securities,  a
     post-effective amendment to this registration statement to:
     (i)  Include any prospectus  required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
          Act;
     (ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which,  individually  or
          together,  represent a fundamental  change in the  information  in the
          registration statement; and
     (iii)Include any additional or changed material  information on the plan of
          distribution.

(2)   For  determining  any  liability  under the  Securities  Act,  treat  each
      post-effective  amendment  that  contains  a form of  prospectus  as a new
      registration  statement  for the  securities  offered in the  registration
      statement, and that offering of the securities at that time as the initial
      bona fide offering of those securities.

(3)   File a  post-effective  amendment to remove from  registration  any of the
      securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.

(4)   For  determining  any  liability  under  the  Securities  Act,  treat  the
      information  omitted  from  the form of  prospectus  filed as part of this
      registration  statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
      of prospectus filed by the small business issuer under Rule 424(b)(1),  or
      (4) or  497(h)  under  the  Securities  Act as part  of this  registration
      statement as of the time the Commission declared it effective.

(5)   Provide to the  underwriter at the closing  specified in the  underwriting
      agreement  certificates in such denominations and registered in such names
      as  required  by  the  underwriter  to  permit  prompt  delivery  to  each
      purchaser.
<PAGE>

     Certain  Selling  Securityholders  have agreed not to sell or transfer  the
shares of Common Stock owned by them and  registered  hereunder for  twenty-four
(24)  months  from  the  date of this  Prospectus.  The  Representative  and the
Underwriters  have indicated that in the event they enter into transactions with
any of the Selling  Securityholders,  or waive the lock-ups  applicable  to such
Selling Securityholders securities under the following circumstances, disclosure
will be provided in the following manners: (i) if such transactions involve from
five  (5)   percent  up  to  ten  (10)   percent  of  the   registered   Selling
Securityholders'  securities,  to file  "Sticker"  supplements  pursuant to Rule
242(c) of the Securities Act and (ii) if such transactions involve over ten (10)
percent  of  the  registered  Selling  Securityholders  securities,  to  file  a
post-effective  amendment to the registration statement of which this Prospectus
forms a part.

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

   
     In accordance  with the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the  requirements  of filing on Form SB-2 and  authorized  this  registration
statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the  undersigned,  in  Castle  Rock,
Colorado on the 19th day of February, 1998.
    


                               Ripe Touch Greenhouses, Inc.


                               By: /s/ Stanley Abrams
                                   ----------------------------
                                      Stanley Abrams, President
                                      (Chief Executive Officer)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

   
     In accordance  with the  requirements  of the Securities Act of 1933,  this
registration  statement  was signed by the following  persons in the  capacities
indicated on February 19th, 1998.
    


          Signatures                                  Title
          ----------                                  -----

/s/ Stanley Abrams
- -----------------------------            President (Chief Executive
Stanley Abrams                           Officer), and Director

   
         *
- -----------------------------            Secretary, Treasurer and Director
James Woodley

         *
- -----------------------------            Director
Arthur Rosenberg

______
*By Stanley Abrams, Attorney-in-fact
    


                                 LEASE AGREEMENT


                          Dated as of January 29, 1998



                                     between



                          RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.,
                                   as Lessor,


                                       and


                         VILLAGE FARMS OF COLORADO, INC.
                                    as Lessee




                               Greenhouse Facility
                      Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado


<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



ARTICLE I    DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION OF REFERENCES . . . . . . . . 1
Section 1.01   Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Section 1.02   Construction of References. . . . . . . . . . . . . .10


ARTICLE II   OPERATION OF FACILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10


ARTICLE III  RENT AND SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Section 3.01   Basic Rent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Section 3.02   Supplemental Rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Section 3.03   Late Payment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Section 3.04   Net Lease; No Setoff; Etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Section 3.05   Hot Water Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Section 3.06   Services Provided by Lessor . . . . . . . . . . . . .12


ARTICLE IV   DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12


ARTICLE V    RESTRICTION ON LIENS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12


ARTICLE VI   OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE; ALTERATIONS,
                          MODIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONS. . . . . . . .13
Section 6.01   Operation and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Section 6.02   Repair and Replacement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Section 6.03   Alterations Required by Law . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Section 6.04   Plans and Specifications; Operating Manual. . . . . .14
Section 6.05   Operational Alterations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Section 6.06   Lessor's Option to Pay Costs of Alterations . . . . .14
Section 6.07   Reports of Alterations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Section 6.08   Title to Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Section 6.09   Removal of Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Section 6.10   Parts Free and Clear of Liens . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Section 6.11   Permitted Contests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Section 6.12   Operating Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Section 6.13   Return of Facility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16


ARTICLE VII  IDENTIFICATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VIII  INSURANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Section 8.01   Coverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Section 8.02   Policy Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Section 8.03   Evidence of Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Section 8.04   No Duty of Lessor to Verify . . . . . . . . . . . . .20


ARTICLE IX   LOSS, DESTRUCTION, CONDEMNATION OR DAMAGE . . . . . . .21
Section 9.01   Occurrence of Event of Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Section 9.02   Repair of Loss or Destruction . . . . . . . . . . . .21


ARTICLE X    INTEREST CONVEYED TO LESSEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22


ARTICLE XI   ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLEASE; LOCATION . . . . . . . . . . .22
Section 11.01   Assignment and Sublease. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Section 11.02   Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Section 11.03   Mortgaging the Estate of Lessor. . . . . . . . . . .22


ARTICLE XII  INSPECTION AND REPORTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Section 12.01   Condition and Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Section 12.02   Annual Insurance Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Section 12.03   Financial Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Section 12.04   Budget Approval. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Section 12.05   Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Section 12.06   Liens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26


ARTICLE XIII  EVENTS OF DEFAULT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26


ARTICLE XIV  ENFORCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Section 14.01   Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Section 14.02   Survival of Lessee's Obligations . . . . . . . . . .28
Section 14.03   Remedies Cumulative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29


ARTICLE XV   RIGHT TO PERFORM FOR LESSEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29


ARTICLE XVI  INDEMNITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Section 16.01   General Indemnity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Section 16.02   Fees, Taxes and Other Charges. . . . . . . . . . . .31
Section 16.03   Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Section 16.04   Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XVII COVENANTS AND REPRESENTATIONS OF LESSEE . . . . . . . .34
Section 17.01   Operation of Facility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Section 17.02   Affiliated Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Section 17.03   Waiver of Operating or Efficiency Standards. .. . . 34
Section 17.04   Representations and Warranties of Lessee . . . . . .35


ARTICLE XVIII MISCELLANEOUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Section 18.01   Further Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Section 18.02   Quiet Enjoyment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Section 18.03   Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Section 18.04   Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Section 18.05   Amendment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Section 18.06   Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Section 18.07   Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Section 18.08   Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Section 18.09   Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns, Survival . .36
Section 18.10   Divisible Lease Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Section 18.11   Effectiveness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37


SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1.01(a) Description of Facility
SCHEDULE 1.01(b) Intentionally Blank
SCHEDULE 3.01    Basic Rent
SCHEDULE 3.02    Supplemental Rent




<PAGE>



     LEASE   AGREEMENT   dated  as  of  January  29,  1998  between  RIPE  TOUCH
GREENHOUSES,  INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Lessor"),  and VILLAGE FARMS OF
COLORADO, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Lessee").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS,  the Lessor  desires to lease the Plant (as defined below) and the
Site (as defined  below) to the Lessee and the Lessee desires to lease the Plant
and the Site from the Lessor and operate the Facility (as defined below), all on
the terms and conditions herein contained.

     In consideration of the mutual  agreements  herein contained and other good
and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                     DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION OF REFERENCES
                     ---------------------------------------

     Section 1.01. Definitions.  As used in this Agreement,  the following terms
shall have the following  meanings (such definitions to be equally applicable to
both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

     "Address" shall mean:

          (a) with  respect to the Lessor,  P. O. Box 69  Castlerock,  CO 80104,
     Attn: Chief Executive Officer; and

          (b) with respect to the Lessee,  10 Alvin Court,  East Brunswick,  New
     Jersey 08816, ATTN: President;

     or such other address as such party shall give by notice to the other party
hereto.

     "Affiliate"  of  any  Person  shall  mean  any  other  Person  directly  or
indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Person.

     "Alterations"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to the  Facility,  alterations,
improvements,  modifications  and additions to the Facility  (but  excluding any
replacement of Parts incorporated in the Facility).

     "APD" shall mean Agro Power Development, Inc., a New York corporation.

     "Basic Rent" shall mean $100,000 payable on the Basic Rent Payment Date for
the term of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
     "Basic Rent Payment  Date" shall mean the last day of each month during the
term of this  Agreement,  commencing at the end of the first full calendar month
following the substantial completion of construction.

     "Board of  Directors",  with  respect  to the Lessee or the  Lessor,  means
either the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of that Board.

     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution  certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant  Secretary of the Lessee or Lessor,  as the case may be, to have
been duly adopted by its Board of  Directors  and to be in full force and effect
on the date of such certification.

     "Box Handling Fee" shall mean the fee payable to VF in accordance  with the
Marketing  and Sales  Agreement to be entered into between the Lessee and VF, as
it may be amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified  with the prior written
consent of the Lessor and in effect from time to time, pursuant to which VF will
provide  certain  marketing and sales  services to the Lessee,  which  Marketing
Agreement shall be approved in advance by the Lessor in writing.


     "Budget" shall have the meaning specified in Section 12.04.

     "Business  Day" shall mean any day other than a  Saturday,  Sunday or other
day on which banks are  authorized to be closed in New York,  New York,  Denver,
Colorado or Charlotte, North Carolina.

     "Cash Flow" shall mean for any Lease Year (a) the sum of (i) gross revenues
from the sale of Product,  plus (ii) all amounts received by the Lessee pursuant
to the  Line of  Credit  Facility  Agreement,  plus,  (iii)  insurance  proceeds
received  by the  Lessee  from  policies  of the type  described  in  subsection
8.01(a)(iii)  or any other  insurance  proceeds paid with respect to the loss or
damage to Product,  plus, (iv) revenues  received  pursuant to Article XVII plus
(v) all other  revenues  and income of the  Facility,  minus (b) all  Greenhouse
Expenses paid in the ordinary  course of business (but  excluding any Greenhouse
Expenses that are prepaid by the Lessee).

     "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation
and Liability Act (42 U.S.C.  Section 9601 et seq.),  as presently in effect and
as the same may  hereafter be amended,  together with any  regulations  pursuant
thereto.

     "Closing Date" shall mean the date this Agreement is executed and delivered
by the parties.

     "Code" shall mean the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended,  or any
comparable successor law.


     "Default" means any event or condition which,  with notice or lapse of time
or both, would become an Event of Default.
<PAGE>
     "Equipment" shall mean the equipment and other property described in Part 1
of Schedule  1.01(a) of this  Agreement,  together with any Parts which may from
time to time be  incorporated  in such  equipment or other property and title to
which shall have vested in the Lessor.

     "Effective Date" shall have the meaning specified in Section 18.11.

     "Environmental   Regulations"  means  any  and  all  laws,  rules,  orders,
regulations,  statutes,  ordinances,  codes,  decrees  or  requirements  of  any
Governmental  Authority  exercising  jurisdiction  over the Site, the Greenhouse
Facility (including Lessorship,  construction or operation thereof), the Lessee,
or the  Borrower  relating  to  the  environment  or  natural  resources,  or to
emissions,   discharges,   or  releases  or  threatened  releases  of  Hazardous
Substances,  or to protection of the  environment  or natural  resources,  or to
emissions,  discharges, Releases or threatened Releases of Hazardous Substances,
including but not limited to the CERCLA, the Hazardous Materials  Transportation
Act (49 U.S.C. Section 1801 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(42 U.S.C.  Section 6901 et seq.), the Toxic  Substances  Control Act (15 U.S.C.
Section 2601 et seq.),  the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.  Section 7401 et seq.), the
Federal Water Pollution  Control Act (33 U.S.C.  Section 1251 et seq.),  and the
Safe Drinking  Water Act (42 U.S.C.  Section 300f et seq.),  all as presently in
effect  and as the  same may  hereafter  be  amended,  any  regulation  pursuant
thereto,  and also including,  but not limited to, any obligations,  duties,  or
requirements arising from or related to Hazardous Substances under common law.

     "Event of Default" shall have the meaning specified in Article XIII of this
Agreement.

     "Event of Loss" shall mean (a) the actual or constructive total loss of all
or substantially all the Facility, or the condemnation,  confiscation or seizure
of, or requisition of title to, or requisition by any Governmental  Authority of
the use of, all or substantially all the Facility, or (b) the loss,  destruction
or damage of or condemnation,  confiscation or seizure of, or requisition by any
Governmental  Authority of the use of, such portion of the Facility as to render
the Facility unable to operate at  substantially  the same level of operation as
prior to the  occurrence  of such  event,  unless (x) it is feasible to restore,
rebuild or replace the  affected  portion of the Facility and (y) in the opinion
of the Lessor,  sufficient  funds are or will be  available to the Lessor (i) to
restore,  rebuild or replace the  affected  portion of the  Facility so that the
Facility will be able to operate at substantially the same level of operation as
prior to the  occurrence  of such event  within  twelve  (12)  months  after the
occurrence  of such  event  and (ii) to pay all  Rent  until  such  restoration,
rebuilding or replacement is completed.

     "Expense"  shall have the meaning  specified in Section  16.01 of the Lease
Agreement.

     "Facility" shall mean the Lessor's rights in and to the Plant, the Site and
the Equipment.

     "Fee  Mortgagee"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in  Section  11.03(c)
hereof.

     "Fees, Taxes and Other Charges" shall have the meaning specified in Section
16.02 of this Lease Agreement.
<PAGE>
     "GDP/IPD"  shall have the meaning  specified  in Section 3.05 of this Lease
Agreement.

     "Greenhouse  Expenses"  shall  mean the sum  (without  duplication)  of (a)
direct labor costs paid, (b) seed expense paid, (c) packaging  supplies  expense
paid,  (d)  fertilizer  and chemical  expenses  paid,  (e)  biological  control,
including  bees,  expense paid, (f) freight expense paid, (g) growing medium and
supplies  expense paid, (h) carbon dioxide expense paid, (i) utility  (including
hot water,  electricity and natural gas) expense paid, (j) recurring maintenance
expense  paid,   including  repairs  and  replacements   paid,  (k)  Management,
Marketing,  and Box  Handling  Fees paid,  (l) Basic Rent  paid,  (m)  insurance
premiums and property  taxes paid,  (n) principal and interest paid with respect
to the Line of Credit  Facility  Agreement  and (o) all other cash expenses paid
relating  to the  operation  of the  Facility,  to the extent  contained  in the
Budget; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from Greenhouse Expenses
(a) all  expenses to be paid from the  Management  Fee,  (b) all  payments  with
respect to federal,  state and local  income  taxes,  (c) payment of  principal,
interest  and fees with respect all  indebtedness  of the Lessee for non capital
expenditures  other than the Line of Credit Facility  Agreement,  (d) payment of
principal,  interest, lease payments and fees with respect to the acquisition by
the Lessee of capital equipment, except to the extent consented to in advance by
the Lessor in writing,  and (e) expenses paid by the Lessee  pursuant to Section
16.01.

     "Greenhouse  Facility"  shall  mean the  approximately  20-acre  greenhouse
located on the Site.

     "Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government,  any state or
other  political  subdivision  thereof,  and any  entity  exercising  executive,
legislative,  judicial,  regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government.

     "Hazardous  Substances"  shall mean and include those elements or compounds
which  are  contained  in the lists of  hazardous  substances  or wastes  now or
hereafter  adopted by the United  States  Environmental  Protection  Agency (the
"EPA") or the lists of toxic pollutants  designated now or hereafter by Congress
or the EPA or which are defined as  hazardous,  toxic,  pollutant,  contaminant,
infectious or radioactive by CERCLA, by any Environmental Requirement, or by any
so called  federal,  state or local  "Superfund" or "Superlien"  laws, or by any
other Federal,  state or local statute, law, ordinance,  code, rule, regulation,
order or decree  regulating,  relating to, or imposing liability or standards of
conduct  concerning,  any  hazardous,  toxic or  dangerous  waste,  substance or
material,  as  now  or at any  time  hereafter  in  effect,  including,  without
limitation,  the Air Pollution  Control Act, Va. Code Ann. Section  10.1-1300 et
seq., the Solid Waste Management Act, Va. Code Ann.  Section  10.1-1400 et seq.,
the State Water Control Law, Va. Code Ann.  Section 2.1-44.2 et seq., or any and
all rules and regulations now or hereafter  promulgated  under any or all of the
foregoing,  together  with any other  substance the use,  handling,  generation,
treatment,  storage,  disposal,  treatment,  presence  or Release of which could
result in the  imposition  of liability  under any of the  aforementioned  laws,
statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, orders or decrees.
<PAGE>
     "Incorporated  in" shall have the meaning  specified in Section 6.02 of the
Lease Agreement.

     "Indemnitee" shall mean the Lessor and the respective successors,  assigns,
officers, directors, employees and agents of any thereof.

     "Inspecting  Parties" shall have the meaning  specified in Section 12.01 of
this Lease Agreement.

     "Lien" shall mean any lien, mortgage,  encumbrance,  pledge, charge, lease,
easement, servitude, right of others or security interest of any kind, including
any  thereof  arising  under  any  conditional  sale or  other  title  retention
agreement.

     "Management Agreement" shall mean the Management,  Operation,  Maintenance,
Marketing and Sales  Agreement to be entered into between the Lessee and APD, as
it may be amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified  with the prior written
consent  of the Lessor and in effect  from time to time,  pursuant  to which APD
will provide certain management, operation, maintenance, services to the Lessee,
which  Management  Agreement  shall be  approved  in  advance  by the  Lessor in
writing.

     "Management  Fee" shall mean the management fee paid to APD pursuant to the
Management Agreement for (a) all internal accounting services of the Lessee, (b)
salary and other benefits paid to the Lessee's grower and sales representatives,
(c) all internal  management  services  performed by principals of the Lessee or
APD and (d) all  direct  out-of-pocket  expenses  (including  travel  and living
expenses) paid in connection with the  performance of the services  described in
clauses (a), (b) and (c).

     "Marketing  Agreement"  shall mean the Marketing and Sales  Agreement to be
entered  into between the Lessee and VF, as it may be amended,  supplemented  or
otherwise  modified with the prior  written  consent of the Lessor and in effect
from time to time, pursuant to which VF will provide certain marketing and sales
services to the Lessee,  which Marketing  Agreement shall be approved in advance
by the Lessor in writing.

     "Marketing  Fee" shall mean the  marketing  fee paid to VF  pursuant to the
Marketing Agreement for (a) all sales efforts related to identifying and calling
on actual and potential customers,  (b) marketing efforts related to identifying
the best methods to sell the product,  (c)  evaluating the credit quality of all
customers,  (d) accepting the risk of non  collection  from all  customers,  (e)
working  cooperatively  with the Lessee to ensure the highest net return for the
greenhouse products.


     "Metering Devices" shall mean all necessary meters and associated equipment
to be  utilized  in  measuring  the steam  output of the Power  Station  and for
measuring the condensate return to the Power Station.
<PAGE>
     "Nonseverable"  shall  describe  (i) with  respect  to any  Alteration,  an
Alteration which is a "nonseverable  improvement"  within the meaning of Revenue
Procedure 79-48 and (ii) with respect to any part not constituting an Alteration
or part of an  Alteration,  a part  which  cannot be  readily  removed  from the
equipment without causing material damage to the Facility.

     "Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer
of the party required to give such certificate.

     "Operating  Manual"  shall mean such  operating  manuals as are  ordinarily
maintained  by the Lessee  with  respect to the  Facility  and any such  manuals
provided by any manufacturer of any component of the Facility.

     "Lease Year" shall mean each period  commencing  on January 1 and ending on
December 31 during the term of this Lease Agreement.

     "Lease  Documents"  shall mean this Lease  Agreement and the Line of Credit
Facility Agreement.

     "Lessee"   shall  mean  Village   Farms  of  Colorado,   Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation, and its permitted successors and permitted assigns.

     "Overdue Rate" shall mean an interest rate equal to the rate announced from
time to time by First  Union  National  Bank of North  Carolina  as its prime or
reference rate plus two percent (2%) per annum.

     "Lessor" shall mean Ripe Touch Greenhouses,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation,
and its successors and permitted assigns.

     "Parts" shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

     "Permitted Liens" shall mean (a) the respective rights and interests of the
Lessor and the Lessee as  provided in the Lease  Documents,  (b) liens for taxes
either  not  yet  due or  being  contested  in  good  faith  and by  appropriate
proceedings,  so long as such  proceedings  shall not  involve any danger of the
sale,  forfeiture  or loss of any part of the  Facility,  title  thereto  or any
interest  therein and shall not  interfere  with the use or  disposition  of the
Facility  or the  payment  of  Rent,  (c)  materialmen's,  mechanics',  workers,
repairmen's, employees' or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of
business for amounts either not yet due or being  contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings so long as such proceedings shall not involve any danger
of the sale,  forfeiture or loss of any part of the  Facility,  title thereto or
any interest  therein and shall not interfere with the use or disposition of the
Facility  or the payment of Rent,  and (d) Liens  arising  out of  judgments  or
awards with respect to which at the time an appeal or  proceeding  for review is
being  prosecuted  in good  faith and either  which have been  bonded or for the
payment of which adequate reserves shall have been provided.
<PAGE>
     "Person" shall mean individual,  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
association,   joint-stock  company,  trust,   unincorporated   organization  or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Plans and Specifications"  shall mean the plans and specifications for the
Plant and the Equipment identified as such, as the same may be revised from time
to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

     "Plant"  shall  mean  those  buildings  and other  properties  specifically
described in Part 2 of Schedule 1.01(a) to the Lease Agreement,  together at all
times with any and all Parts which may from time to time be  incorporated in the
Plant.

     "Power  Station" means the electric power  generation  facility  located in
Calhan, Colorado, which Lessor will construct and own.

     "Power Station Piping" shall mean the pump and piping system  necessary for
the return of water from the detention pond on the Site to the Power Station.

     "Product" shall mean tomatoes or any other agricultural product approved in
writing by the Lessor.

     "Release"  means  any  spilling,   leaking,  pumping,  pouring,   emitting,
emptying, discharging,  injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into
the environment  (including  without limitation the abandonment or discarding of
barrels, containers or other closed or open receptacles containing any Hazardous
Substances or pollutant or contaminant).

     "Rent" shall mean Basic Rent and Supplemental Rent, collectively.

     "Responsible Officer" shall mean the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board
of Directors,  the Chairman or Vice  Chairman of the Executive  Committee of the
Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated
by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "Vice President",
including any Assistant Vice President), the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary,
the  Treasurer,  any  Assistant  Treasurer  or any other  officer of any of them
customarily  performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above
designated officers.

     "Site" shall mean the land  described in Part 3 of Schedule  1.01(a) of the
Lease Agreement.

     "Steam  Equipment"  shall mean the heat exchange  systems,  cooling  tower,
thermal  storage  tank,  steam and  condensate  lines  and the  other  equipment
required  for the  conversion  of steam into a form  usable in the  heating  and
cooling of the  Greenhouse  Facility  and the lines  required to deliver the hot
water from such equipment to the Greenhouse Facility.

     "Steam  Interconnection  Facilities" shall mean the lines and other devices
necessary to  interconnect  the steam and condensate  lines of the Power Station
with the Steam Equipment.
<PAGE>
     "Storm  Water  Piping"  shall  mean the pump and  piping  system  and other
equipment  necessary  for the return of storm water  runoff from the  Greenhouse
Facility to the detention pond on the Site.

     "Supplemental Rent" shall mean the rent payable pursuant to Section 3.02 of
this Agreement.

     "Supplemental  Basic Rent  Payment  Date"  shall mean the last date of each
January,  April,  July and  October  during the term of this  Agreement  and the
Termination Date commencing April 30, 1999

     "Term" shall mean (a) the period  commencing  on July 1, 1998 and ending on
December  31,  2008 or (b)  such  shorter  period  as may  result  from  earlier
termination of this Lease Agreement as provided herein.

     "Termination Date" shall mean the last day of the Term.

     "Trust Property" has the meaning given in Section 1.1 of the Deed of Trust.

     "VF" shall mean Village Farms, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     "Water  Charge"  shall have the meaning  specified  in Section 3.05 of this
Lease Agreement.

     Section 1.02. Construction of References. All references in this instrument
to designated  sections and other  subdivisions  are to designated  sections and
other  subdivisions of this  instrument,  and the words  "herein",  "hereof" and
"hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Lease Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular section or other subdivision.

     Except as otherwise  indicated,  all the agreements or  instruments  herein
defined shall mean such  agreements or  instruments as the same may from time to
time be  supplemented  or amended or the terms thereof waived or modified to the
extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the terms thereof.


                                   ARTICLE II
                              OPERATION OF FACILITY
                              ---------------------

     As of the  later to occur  of (i)  January  1,  1999  and  (ii)  Notice  of
Substantial Completion (as defined in the General Contractor's Agreement) of the
Plant,  subject to all the terms and  conditions of this  Agreement,  the Lessor
shall provide and lease the Facility to the Lessee, and the Lessee shall operate
and lease,  and hereby as of the  Effective  Date does  operate  and lease,  the
Facility from the Lessor for the Term.
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE III
                                RENT AND SERVICES
                                -----------------

     Section 3.01. Basic Rent.  Subject to adjustment as provided below,  during
the Term, the Lessee shall pay Basic Rent to the Lessor in arrears on each Basic
Rent Payment Date for the Facility in an amount equal to the amount set forth on
Schedule  3.01 for such Basic Rent  Payment  Date (in the case of the last Basic
Rent  Payment Date if such date is other than a Basic Rent  Payment  Date,  such
Basic Rent shall be prorated based on the number of days during which the Lessee
leased the  Facility).  Basic Rent shall be  increased  in  accordance  with any
agreement  reached in connection  with the payment by the Lessor of the costs of
any Alterations in accordance with Section 6.06 hereof.

     Section  3.02.  Supplemental  Rent.  In addition to Basic Rent,  the Lessee
shall pay to the Lessor  Supplemental  Rent in an amount equal to the percentage
of Cash Flow set forth on Schedule 3.02 during the Term. Supplemental Rent shall
be payable for each  calendar  quarter on the  Supplemental  Rent  Payment  Date
immediately following the end of such calendar quarter.

     Section 3.03. Late Payment.  If any Rent or any other amount required to be
paid  hereunder  shall not be paid when due,  the Lessee shall pay to the Lessor
interest  (to the  extent  permitted  by law) on such  overdue  amount  from and
including  the due date  thereof to but  excluding  the date of payment  thereof
(unless such payment  shall be made after 11:00 A.M.,  local time, in which case
such date of payment  shall be included) at the Overdue  Rate. If any Rent shall
be paid on the date when due, but after 11:00 A.M.,  local time, at the place of
payment, interest shall be payable as aforesaid for one day.

     Section 3.04. Net Lease;  Setoff;  Etc. This Lease Agreement is a net lease
and, notwithstanding any other provision of this Lease Agreement, it is intended
that Rent and all other amounts  payable by Lessee  hereunder to Lessor shall be
paid without  notice,  demand,  defense and without  abatement,  suspension,  or
deferment.  Lessor shall be responsible  for all property taxes  associated with
the real  property  and any  improvements  thereon.  In the event that Lessor is
unable to supply any or all of the  Utilities as provided  for in Section  3.05,
then  Lessee  shall  have  the  right  to  setoff  against  any  Base  Lease  or
Supplemental  Lease payments all amounts  disbursed to provide such Utilities to
operate the facility.

     Section 3.05. Utilities.  The Lessor agrees to provide to the Lessee during
the Term, all of the water, electricity, and heat requirements (collectively the
"Utilities") for the operation of the Facility at no cost to the Lessee.  In the
event that Lessor is unable to supply the  Utilities  for the  operation  of the
Facility  to the  Lessee,  then the  Lessee  shall  have the  right of setoff in
accordance with Section 3.04 herein.

     Section 3.06.  Services  Provided by Lessor.  At the request of the Lessee,
the Lessor  may,  at its  option,  provide,  at the  Lessee's  expense,  general
maintenance services.  The Lessor shall charge the Lessee an amount equal to its
actual cost in providing  such  services  and shall  invoice the Lessee for such
services monthly as incurred.  Such invoices shall be payable within thirty (30)
days of invoice.
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV
                            DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
                            ------------------------
  
     THE FACILITY IS BEING PROVIDED AND LEASED  PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT ON AN
"AS-IS,  WHERE-IS"  BASIS.  THE  LESSOR HAS NOT MADE NOR SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE
MADE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE TITLE, VALUE,
MERCHANTABILITY,  COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS,  CONDITION, DESIGN, OPERATION,
ABSENCE  OF LATENT  DEFECTS  OR  FITNESS  FOR USE OF THE  FACILITY  (OR ANY PART
THEREOF),  OR ANY  OTHER  REPRESENTATION  OR  WARRANTY  WHATSOEVER,  EXPRESS  OR
IMPLIED,  WITH RESPECT TO THE FACILITY (OR ANY PART THEREOF).  It is agreed that
except as expressly  provided herein all risks incident to the matters discussed
in the  preceding  sentence,  as between  the Lessor,  on the one hand,  and the
Lessee,  on the other,  are to be borne by the Lessee.  The  provisions  of this
Article IV have been negotiated,  and, except to the extent otherwise  expressly
stated in this Agreement, the foregoing provisions are intended to be a complete
exclusion  and  negation of any  representations  or  warranties  by the Lessor,
express or implied, with respect to the Facility, that may arise pursuant to any
law now or hereafter in effect, or otherwise.


                                    ARTICLE V
                              RESTRICTION ON LIENS
                              --------------------

   The Lessee shall not directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer
to exist any Lien on or with  respect  to the  Facility,  title  thereto  or any
interest therein,  except Permitted Liens. The Lessee shall promptly, at its own
expense,  take such action as may be necessary duly to discharge or eliminate or
bond in a manner  satisfactory  to the  Lessor  any such Lien if the same  shall
arise at any time.  The Lessee  further  agrees that it shall pay or cause to be
paid on or before the time or times  prescribed  by law (after  giving effect to
any applicable grace period) any taxes, assessments,  fees or charges imposed on
the Lessee (or any  affiliated or related group of which the Lessee is a member)
under the laws of any  jurisdiction  that,  if unpaid,  might result in any Lien
prohibited by this Lease Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                     OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE; ALTERATIONS,
                           MODIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONS
                     --------------------------------------

     Section 6.01.  Operation and Maintenance.  The Lessee,  at its own expense,
shall at all times  operate,  maintain,  service  and  repair  the  Facility  in
accordance  with  (a)  prudent  commercial  operating   maintenance   practices,
including  all   manufacturers'   warranty   requirements  to  the  extent  such
requirements  are made  known to the  Lessee,  (b) the  then  current  Operating
Manual, (c) except to the extent Section 6.11 hereof shall apply, all applicable
requirements  of law  and  of  any  court  and  of  any  Governmental  Authority

<PAGE>
(including without limitation all zoning,  environmental protection,  pollution,
sanitary and safety laws, and all Environmental Requirements) noncompliance with
which would have a material  adverse effect on the Lessee's right to operate the
Facility,  the  Lessee's  business or  financial  condition or the rights of the
Lessor in the  Facility  or  would,  in the  opinion  of the  Lessor,  involve a
material risk of any of the items  enumerated in Section  6.11(i)  through (iv),
and (d) all  requirements  contained  in permits  and  licenses  relating to the
Facility in effect from time to time during the Term. In  connection  therewith,
the Lessee shall (i) maintain the Facility in good operating condition, ordinary
wear and tear excepted, (ii) cause the Facility to continue to have the capacity
and  functional  ability to produce  Product on a  continuing  basis,  in normal
commercial operation,  in a commercially efficient manner, (iii) comply with the
standards  imposed by any insurance  policies in effect at any time with respect
to the Facility or any part thereof,  and (iv) bear the expense  associated with
changes in permitting requirements relating to the Facility during the Term.

     Section 6.02.  Repair and  Replacement.  Except after the  occurrence of an
Event of Loss,  and except as provided  below,  the Lessee,  at its own expense,
shall keep the Facility in good operating  condition  (reasonable  wear and tear
excepted),  and  shall  make  all  repairs,  replacements  and  renewals  of all
necessary   or  useful   appliances,   parts,   instruments,   accessories   and
miscellaneous property of whatever nature (collectively,  the "Parts") necessary
to  maintain  the  Facility in good  operating  condition.  The Lessee  shall be
responsible  for  making  (a)  all  structural  and  nonstructural  repairs  and
replacements  to the Facility up to fifteen  thousand  dollars  ($15,000) in the
aggregate  in each Lease Year and (b) all  repairs  and  replacements,  with the
exception of (i) the greenhouse  structure,  including the  ventilation  system;
(ii) the heating system, including pumps, boilers, expansion vessels and piping;
(iii) the curtain system;  (iv) the CO2 system;  (v) the irrigation  system; and
(vi) the cold storage facility; provided that notwithstanding anything contained
herein to the  contrary,  the  Lessee  shall be  responsible  for all repair and
replacements  relating to normal wear and tear.  The Lessor shall be responsible
for making  all  necessary  structural  and  nonstructural  repairs in excess of
fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) in the aggregate in any Lease Year other than
repairs and  replacements  of items  referred to in clause (b) above;  provided,
however,  that if such repairs or replacements are necessitated by the negligent
or willful acts of the Lessee, its employees,  agents or invitees, then the cost
of such repairs or  replacements  shall be borne by the Lessee.  In the ordinary
course of  maintenance,  service,  repair or testing,  the Lessee may remove any
Parts,  but the Lessee  shall  cause such Parts to be  replaced  as  promptly as
practicable.  All replacement  Parts shall be free and clear of all Liens except
Permitted  Liens and shall be in at least as good  operating  condition  as, and
shall have a value and utility at least equal to, the Parts  replaced,  assuming
such replaced  Parts were in the condition and repair  required to be maintained
by the terms hereof.

     Section  6.03.  Alterations  Required  by Law.  The Lessor  shall make such
Alterations  to the  Facility as may be  required  from time to time to meet the
requirements of and be in conformity with all applicable requirements of law, of
any court and of any  Governmental  Authority  and the Lessee will  maintain the
same in proper operating  condition under such laws and requirements,  except to
the extent Section 6.11 hereof shall apply.

     Section  6.04.  Plans  and  Specifications;  Operating  Manual.  As soon as
practicable following the Effective Date, the Lessor shall provide to the Lessee
the Operating Manual and a set of Plans and  Specifications  (which shall in the
aggregate  reflect the  Facility as of the  Effective  Date).  The Lessee  shall

<PAGE>
maintain  throughout  the  Term,  and keep on file at the  Facility,  a  current
Operating  Manual  and a set of Plans  and  Specifications  (which  shall in the
aggregate  reflect all Parts  incorporated  in the Facility and all  Alterations
made  pursuant  to this  Article  VI) with  respect  to the  Facility.  Upon any
expiration  of the Term or the  exercise  of remedies  pursuant to Article  XIII
hereof, the Lessee shall deliver to the Lessor a complete set, current as of the
date of such return or exercise of  remedies,  of such Plans and  Specifications
and all work drawings and similar documents with respect to the operation of the
Facility. The Plans and Specifications shall not be revised, amended or modified
in any  manner  which  would  adversely  affect  the  operating  capacity,  cost
efficiency, utility, reliability or value of the Facility.

     Section 6.05. Operational  Alterations.  In addition to the foregoing,  the
Lessee,  at its own expense  (subject to Section 6.06 hereof),  may from time to
time make such  Alterations  to the Facility as the Lessee may deem desirable in
the proper  conduct of its  business,  which  shall be approved by the Lessor in
advance, provided that such Alterations shall not adversely affect the operating
capacity, cost efficiency, utility, reliability or value of the Facility.

     Section 6.06. Lessor's Option to Pay Costs of Alterations.  If requested to
do so by the Lessee,  the Lessor may at its option pay for any Alteration  title
to which will vest or has vested in the Lessor  pursuant to Section 6.08 hereof,
subject to agreement as to adjustments in Basic Rent in accordance  with Section
3.01 hereof.

     Section  6.07.  Reports  of  Alterations.  On or  before  March  15 of each
calendar year commencing in 1999 and on the date on which the Term shall expire,
the Lessee  shall  furnish the Lessor  with a report  stating the total cost (as
determined in accordance with the Lessee's normal  accounting  practices) of all
Alterations  which are  Nonseverable  and which were not  financed  pursuant  to
Section 6.06 hereof and which are not described in clause (i) or (ii) of Section
4(4).03(c) of Revenue Procedure 75-21 as modified by Revenue Procedure 79-48 and
which were made during the period from the date of this Lease  Agreement  to the
end of the  preceding  calendar  year in the case of the  first  such  report or
during the period from the end of the period covered by the last previous report
to one month prior to such report in the case of subsequent  reports and briefly
describing  all such  Alterations.  Each such report shall be  accompanied by an
Officer's  Certificate  stating  that no  Alteration  has been made  that  would
adversely affect the operating capacity, cost efficiency,  utility,  reliability
or value of the Facility or the ability of the Lessee to perform its obligations
hereunder.

     Section 6.08. Title to Parts. Title to each Part (including any Alteration)
incorporated  in the Facility  pursuant to this Article VI shall without further
act vest in the Lessor and shall be deemed to  constitute a part of the Facility
and be subject to this Lease Agreement in the following cases:

          (a) such Part shall be in replacement of or in  substitution  for, and
     not in addition to, any Part  originally  incorporated  in the Equipment or
     any Part title to which  shall have  vested in the Lessor  pursuant to this
     Section 6.08;

          (b) such Part shall be required  to be  incorporated  in the  Facility
     pursuant to the terms of Sections 6.02 and 6.03 hereof;
<PAGE>
          (c)  such Part shall be Nonseverable; or

          (d) such Part shall be paid for by the Lessor.

     If such Part or Parts are  incorporated  in the  Facility  pursuant to this
Article  VI and are not within any of the  categories  set forth in clauses  (a)
through  (d) above,  then title to such Part or Parts  shall vest in the Lessee,
subject to the rights of the Lessor provided in Section 6.09 hereof.

     All Parts  (other  than Parts the title to which is vested in the Lessee in
accordance  with the  preceding  sentence) at any time removed from the Facility
shall remain the property of the Lessor,  no matter  where  located,  until such
time as such Parts shall be replaced by Parts that have been incorporated in the
Facility  and that meet the  requirements  for  replacement  Parts  specified in
Section 6.02 hereof.  On or before March 15 of each calendar year  commencing in
1999 and on the date on which the Term shall  expire,  the Lessee shall  furnish
the  Lessor  with a report  which  provides  a  breakout  of the total  cost (as
determined in accordance with the Lessee's normal  accounting  practices) of all
Parts the title to which is vested in the Lessee  and all parts the title  which
is vested in the Lessor as provided in this Section 6.08 (other than those Parts
that were paid for by the Lessor) and which were  incorporated  in the  Facility
during  the  period  from the  date of this  Lease  Agreement  to the end of the
preceding  calendar  year in the case of the first  such  report  or during  the
period  from the end of the period  covered by the last  previous  report to one
month  prior  to such  report  in the case of  subsequent  reports  and  briefly
describing all such Parts. Each such report shall be accompanied by an Officer's
Certificate  stating that no Part has been  incorporated  in the  Facility  that
would  adversely  affect  the  operating  capacity,  cost  efficiency,  utility,
reliability or value of the Facility or the ability of the Lessee to perform its
obligations   hereunder.   Immediately   upon  any  replacement   Part  becoming
incorporated in the Facility as provided in Section 6.02 hereof, without further
act, (a) title to the removed Part shall  thereupon vest in such Person as shall
be  designated  by the Lessee,  free and clear of all rights of the Lessor,  (b)
title to such  replacement  Part shall thereupon vest in the Lessor and (c) such
replacement Part shall become subject to this Lease Agreement and be deemed part
of the  Facility  for  all  purposes  heeof  to the  same  extent  as the  parts
originally incorporated in the Facility.

     Section 6.09.  Removal of Parts. All Parts  incorporated in the Facility to
which the Lessee (or any other  Person  other than the Lessor)  shall have title
pursuant to the  provisions of Section 6.08 hereof may, (a) subject to any right
of the  Lessor  to use  such  Part as  provided  herein  and (b) so long as such
removal  shall be  permitted  by this  Agreement  and  shall  not  result in any
violation of any law or governmental regulation and (c) so long as no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  be removed at any time
by the Lessee (or such other  Person) and shall be removed by the Lessee (or the
Lessee  shall  cause such other  Person so to remove  such  Parts)  prior to the
delivery of the Facility to the Lessor in accordance  with the provisions of the
Lease  Agreement,  other  than  upon the  termination  of this  Lease  Agreement
pursuant  to Article  XIV  hereof,  and title to such  Parts  shall at all times
remain in the Lessee (or such other Person).

     Section 6.10.  Parts Free and Clear of Liens. Any Part title to which shall
vest in the Lessor  pursuant to Section  6.08 hereof  shall be free and clear of
all Liens except Permitted Liens.
<PAGE>
     Section 6.11. Permitted Contests.  If, to the extent and for so long as (a)
a test, challenge, appeal or proceeding for review of any applicable requirement
of law or of a Governmental  Authority  relating to the operation or maintenance
of the  Facility  shall  be  prosecuted  in  good  faith  by the  Lessee  or (b)
compliance  with such  requirement  shall  have been  excused or  exempted  by a
nonconforming use permit, waiver, extension or forbearance, the Lessee shall not
be required to comply with such  requirement  but only if such test,  challenge,
appeal,  proceeding  or  noncompliance  shall not, in the opinion of the Lessor,
involve a material  risk of (i)  foreclosure,  sale,  forfeiture  or loss of, or
imposition of any Lien other than a Permitted  Lien on, any part of the Facility
or of impairment of the operation of the Facility,  (ii)  extending the ultimate
imposition of such requirement  beyond the termination of the Term (unless there
shall have been furnished indemnification satisfactory to the Lessor), (iii) any
material  claim  against  the Lessor  (unless  there  shall have been  furnished
indemnification satisfactory to the Lessor) or (iv) the nonpayment of Rent.

     Section 6.12.  Operating Logs. The Lessee shall keep maintenance and repair
reports in sufficient detail to indicate the nature and date of major work done.
Such  reports  shall  be kept on file by the  Lessee  at its  offices  or at the
Facility for as long as they would be kept by a prudent  Lessor or Lessee of the
Facility  (but in no event  less than three (3) years  following  the end of the
Term), and shall be made available to the Lessor upon reasonable request.

     Section 6.13. Return of Facility.  Upon termination of this Agreement,  the
Lessee,  at its  own  expense,  shall  return  the  Facility  to the  Lessor  by
surrendering  the same into the  possession  of the Lessor free and clear of all
Liens and in the condition required by Section 6.01 hereof.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                 IDENTIFICATION
                                 --------------
  
     The Lessee shall maintain  throughout  the Term in a prominent  location at
each entrance to each of the buildings  comprising the Facility at least one (1)
plate or other clear and durable  marking stating "THE EQUIPMENT AND ALL RELATED
EQUIPMENT IN THIS FACILITY IS OWNED BY RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.," in letters
not less than  one-half  inch in height.  On the Closing  Date the Lessee  shall
certify that it has complied  with the  preceding  sentence.  Except as provided
herein or as  otherwise  directed by the Lessor,  the Lessee shall not allow the
name of any Person other than that of the Lessee to be placed on any Part of the
Facility as a designation  that might  reasonably be  interpreted  as a claim of
Lessorship or right to possession or use thereof.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                    INSURANCE
                                  ------------ 
     Section 8.01.  Coverage.

          (a) Subject to subsection 8.01(b), the Lessee shall maintain:
<PAGE>
                         (i)  property  damage  insurance  with  respect  to the
          Facility  insuring  against  loss or damage in an amount  equal to the
          "full  insurable  value"  (which as used  herein  shall  mean the full
          replacement value, including the costs of debris removal, which amount
          shall be  determined  annually)  from (x)  fire  and  normal  extended
          coverage  perils  customarily  included  in  policies  available  with
          respect  to  property  comparable  to  the  Facility  and  (y)  flood,
          earthquake and other perils  customarily  included under Difference in
          Conditions policies so available;

                        (ii) "boiler and machinery" insurance in an amount equal
          to the full  insurable  value  with  respect  to damage  (not  insured
          against  pursuant to subsection  8.01(a)(i)  above) to the  machinery,
          plant, equipment,  storage facilities or similar apparatus included in
          the Facility  from risks  normally  insured  against  under boiler and
          machinery policies;

                       (iii)  comprehensive  commercial  general  liability  and
          property damage insurance (including, but not limited to, coverage for
          any  construction  on  or  about  the  Premises)  covering  the  legal
          liability of Lessee  against all claims for any bodily injury or death
          of persons and for damage to or destruction of property  occurring on,
          in or about the  Premises and the  adjoining  streets,  sidewalks  and
          passageways  and arising out of the use or  occupation of the Premises
          by Lessee.  Coverages provided by the foregoing insurance policy shall
          include (but not be limited to) all of the coverages commonly referred
          to  by  the  insurance  industry  as:  Premises/Operations  Liability;
          Products/Completed   Operations  Liability;  Lessors  and  Contractors
          Protective  Liability;   Blanket  Contractual  Liability;  Broad  Form
          Property Damage  Liability;  Personal  Injury,  Stop-Gap or Employers'
          Contingent Liability;  Explosion,  Collapse and Underground Liability;
          Automobile Liability,  including coverage for Owned, Non-Owned, Hired,
          or Borrowed Vehicles and "Mobile  Equipment".  The foregoing insurance
          shall apply as primary insurance,  irrespective of any insurance which
          Lessor  or  Master  Landlord  may  carry  and  shall  include a "Cross
          Liability" clause (Severability of Interests). The foregoing insurance
          shall have a combined single limit of not less than  $5,000,000,  with
          separate  aggregate  for product and general  liability,  which policy
          shall be written on an occurrence basis;

                        (iv) (x) workers' compensation insurance or occupational
          disability  benefits insurance (in at least the statutory amounts) and
          such other forms of  insurance  which the Lessee is required by law to
          maintain  or cause to be  maintained,  covering  loss  resulting  from
          injury,  sickness,  disability or death of the employees of the Lessee
          and (y)  employers'  liability  insurance  in an amount  not less than
          $500,000 single limit;
<PAGE>
                         (v)  comprehensive   automobile   liability   insurance
          against claims of personal injury  (including bodily injury and death)
          and property  damage covering all owned,  leased,  non-owned and hired
          vehicles  with  a  $1,000,000.00  minimum  limit  per  occurrence  for
          combined bodily injury and property damage liability; and

                        (vi) such other  insurance  with respect to the Facility
          in such  amounts  and  against  such  insurable  hazards as is usually
          carried by Persons  operating  similar  properties in the same general
          region,  but any loss of the type customarily  covered by the policies
          described in subsections 8.01(a)(i),  (ii) and (iii), whether actually
          covered  in  whole  or  in  part  by  such  policies,   shall  be  the
          responsibility  of the Lessee and the absence of such  coverage  shall
          not relieve the Lessee  from any of its  obligations  under any of the
          Lease Documents;

          provided,  however, that the amount of insurance coverage specified in
     subsections 8.01(a)(i) and (a)(ii) above with respect to the Facility shall
     not in any  event be less than the  replacement  cost of the  Facility,  as
     determined by the Lessor, including agreed amount waiving coinsurance.

          All insurance  policies  carried in accordance with Section 8.01 shall
     be maintained with Florists Mutual Insurance  Company or any other insurers
     with a Best  rating  of A minus or better  and a Best size  rating of IX or
     better (except for policies  underwritten  by Lloyds of London and approved
     English companies  acceptable to the Lessor) approved by the Lessor and not
     disqualified from insuring risks in Virginia.

          Any insurance  policies  carried in accordance  with this Section 8.01
     shall be subject to (i)  exclusions  of the sort  existing in the insurance
     policies in effect on the Closing Date and (ii) such deductible amounts and
     retentions as shall not exceed the following amounts specified with respect
     to such policies:

<TABLE>
<S>       <C>                                           <C>     
          (1)  Property Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25,000;

          (2)  Boiler and Machinery. . . . . . . . . . .$25,000;
     and
          (3)  Public Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . .$25,000.
</TABLE>

          Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary in this Article  VIII,  the
     Lessee  shall at all times  ensure that the  insurance  it  maintains  with
     respect to the  Facility  is not less  extensive  or  inclusive  in type or
     amount  of  coverage  than that  maintained  by it in  accordance  with its
     standard   corporate   minimum  practice  with  respect  to  other  similar
     facilities.
<PAGE>
          (b) During the Term and unless the Lessor  gives the Lessee sixty (60)
     days prior written notice,  the Lessor shall provide the insurance coverage
     specified in subsection 8.01(a)(i) and 8.01(a)(ii) at the Lessor's cost.

     Section 8.02.  Policy  Provisions.  Any insurance policy  maintained by the
Lessee pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof shall:

          (a) specify Lessor,  affiliates, the Lessor and Lessor's affiliates as
     additional insured (the "Additional Insured"),  as its respective interests
     may appear;

          (b) specify Fee Mortgagee as mortgagee and loss payee;

          (c)  provide,  except in the case of public  liability  insurance  and
     workers'  compensation  insurance,  that  all loss or  occurrence  shall be
     adjusted with the Lessee and Lessor,  unless an Event of Default shall have
     occurred and be continuing,  in which case such loss or occurrence shall be
     adjusted  with the  Lessor,  and  payable  (x) in respect of  payments  not
     exceeding  $25,000,  provided  no Default  or Event of  Default  shall have
     occurred  or  be  continuing,   to  the  Lessee,   and  (y)  in  all  other
     circumstances, to the Lessor;

          (d)  include  effective  waivers  by the  insurer  of all  claims  for
     insurance  premiums or  commissions  or (if such  policies  provide for the
     payment thereof)  additional premiums or assessments against any Additional
     Insured;

          (e)  provide  that  in  respect  of the  interests  of the  Additional
     Insured,  such policies  shall not be invalidated by any action or inaction
     of the Lessee or any other Person and shall insure the  Additional  Insured
     regardless   of,  and  any   claims   for  the  losses   shall  be  payable
     notwithstanding:

               (i) the  occupation  or use of the  Facility  for  purposes  more
          hazardous than permitted by the terms of the policy;

               (ii)  any  foreclosure  or other  proceeding  or  notice  of sale
          relating to all or any portion of the Facility; or

               (iii)  any  change in the  title to or  Lessorship  of all or any
          portion of the Facility.

          (f) provide that such  insurance  shall be primary  insurance and that
     the  insurers  under such  insurance  policies  shall be liable  under such
     policies  without right of contribution  from any other insurance  coverage
     effected  by or on  behalf  of  any  Additional  Insured  under  any  other
     insurance policies covering a loss that is also covered under the insurance
     policies  maintained by the Lessee  pursuant to this Article VIII and shall
     expressly  provide  that all  provisions  thereof,  except  the  limits  of
     liability  (which  shall be  applicable  to all  insureds  as a group)  and
     liability  for premiums  (which shall be solely a liability of the Lessee),
     shall  operate  in the same  manner  as if  there  were a  separate  policy
     covering each insured;
<PAGE>
          (g) provide that any  cancellation  thereof or material adverse change
     therein shall not be effective as to each of the  Additional  Insured until
     at least  sixty  (60) days  after  receipt  by such  Additional  Insured of
     written notice thereof;

          (h)  waive  any  right of  subrogation  of the  insurers  against  the
     Additional  Insured,  and waive any right of the  insurers to any setoff or
     counterclaim or any other deduction, whether by attachment or otherwise, in
     respect of any liability of the Additional Insured; and

          (i) subject to Section 8.01 hereof, be reasonably  satisfactory to the
     Lessor, and Fee Mortgagee in all other material respects.

     Section 8.03.  Evidence of  Insurance.  The Lessee shall deliver to each of
the Additional Insured at least two (2) days before the Effective Date copies of
all policies of insurance  required hereby and, on the date this Lease Agreement
is executed and on each December 31 thereafter during the Term,  certificates of
insurance,  copies  of all  policies  of  insurance  evidencing  the  provisions
described  in  Section  8.02(a)  hereof  executed  by the  insurer  by its  duly
authorized  agent,  and a  certification  from the Lessee's  insurance  agent or
broker to the effect that all premiums required to have been paid have been paid
in full.

     Section  8.04.  No Duty of Lessor to Verify.  No  provision of this Article
VIII or any provision of any other Operative Document shall impose on the Lessor
any duty or  obligation  to verify the  existence  or adequacy of the  insurance
coverage  maintained by the Lessee nor shall the Lessor be  responsible  for any
representation  or warranty  made by or on behalf of the Lessee to any insurance
company or underwriter.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                    LOSS, DESTRUCTION, CONDEMNATION OR DAMAGE
                    -----------------------------------------

     Section 9.01. Occurrence of Event of Loss. If an Event of Loss shall occur,
the Lessee shall give the Lessor prompt  written  notice of such  occurrence and
the date thereof.  Unless the Lessor  agrees in writing  within thirty (30) days
after such occurrence to restore,  rebuild or replace the Facility in accordance
with the  provisions  contained in the  definition of "Event of Loss," then this
Agreement  shall  terminate   effective  on  the  thirtieth  day  following  the
occurrence  of the  Event of Loss.  Any  payments  (except  for  payments  under
insurance policies  maintained by the Lessee other than pursuant to Article VIII
hereof)  received  at  any  time  by  the  Lessor  or by  the  Lessee  from  any
Governmental Authority or other Person as a result of the occurrence of an Event
of Loss shall be retained  by the Lessor or  promptly  paid to the Lessor by the
Lessee; provided,  however, that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall
have  occurred  and be  continuing,  the  Lessee  may  retain  any  proceeds  of
requisition of use payments made by any Governmental  Authority and attributable
to the Facility for a period equal to the then current Term.
<PAGE>
     Section 9.02.  Repair of Loss or Destruction.

          (a) In the event of loss or  destruction  of all or a  portion  of the
     Facility which (x) does not constitute an Event of Loss or (y)  constitutes
     an Event of Loss but the Lessor  agrees to restore,  rebuild or replace the
     Facility,  then the Lessor shall give prompt notice  thereof to the Lessee,
     and the Lessor, at its own cost and expense, shall promptly repair, replace
     and rebuild the Facility, at least to the extent of the value and as nearly
     as practicable to the character of the Facility existing  immediately prior
     to such  occurrence;  provided,  however,  that the  Lessee  shall  pay the
     difference,  if any, between the insurance  proceeds received by the Lessor
     as a result of such loss or destruction and the costs and expenses incurred
     by the Lessor in  restoring,  rebuilding  or replacing  the Facility if the
     loss or destruction thereof resulted from the negligent,  willful, reckless
     or wanton act or  failure  to act of the  Lessee,  its  employees,  agents,
     invitees or independent contractors.

          (b) Except as  provided  in Section  9.01,  this  Agreement  shall not
     terminate  or be  affected  in any manner by reason of the  destruction  or
     damage  in  whole  or in  part  of  the  Facility,  or  by  reason  of  the
     untenantability  of the Facility,  and the Rent reserved in this  Agreement
     and all other  charges  payable  hereunder  shall be paid by the  Lessee in
     accordance  with the terms,  covenants and  conditions  of this  Agreement,
     without abatement, diminution or reduction.


                                    ARTICLE X
                           INTEREST CONVEYED TO LESSEE
                           ---------------------------

     This Lease  Agreement  is an  agreement of lease and does not convey to the
Lessee any right, title or interest in or to the Facility except as an Lessee.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                        ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLEASE; LOCATION
                        ---------------------------------
 
     Section 11.01.  Assignment  and Sublease.  The Lessor shall be permitted to
assign this Agreement and any and all of its right,  title or interest in, to or
under this Agreement, voluntarily or by operation of law, without the consent of
the Lessee.  The Lessee may not  sublease  the  Facility or any part  thereof or
assign any of its rights or interest hereunder without the prior written consent
of the Lessor;  provided,  however,  that any such sublease or assignment by the
Lessee to which the Lessor may, in its  discretion,  grant its consent (a) shall
not release the Lessee from any of its  obligations or liabilities of any nature
whatsoever  arising under this Agreement;  (b) shall be expressly subject to and
subordinate to this  Agreement;  (c) shall be  accompanied  by an  unconditional
guarantee  of the Lessee's  obligations  under the Lease  Agreement  issued by a
party having financial strength satisfactory to the Lessor; and (d) shall not be
permitted if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

     Section  11.02.  Location.  The Lessee  shall not  remove,  or permit to be
removed,  the Plant or  Equipment  or any part thereof from the Site without the
prior written consent of the Lessor,  except that the Lessee or any other Person
may remove any Part in accordance  with the provisions of Sections 6.02 and 6.09
hereof.

     Section 11.03.  Mortgaging the Estate of Lessor.

          (a) Without limiting the generality of Section 11.01(a) hereof, Lessee
     acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Deed of Trust and agrees that, to the
     extent provided therein, any notice, demand or action which Lessor may give
     or take  hereunder  may be  given  or  taken by  Lender  or any  other  Fee
     Mortgagee  with the same  force and  effect as if given or taken by Lessor,
     and that this Lease  Agreement is and shall be  subordinate  to the Deed of
     Trust and to any other such pledge, conveyance,  deed of trust, assignment,
     mortgage or ground lease now existing or hereafter executed (herein, a "Fee
     Mortgage"),  with no further  instrument of subordination  being necessary,
     provided Fee Mortgagee may  subordinate the same to this Lease Agreement by
     executing and  recording a written  instrument  including  language to that
     effect.

          (b) Lessee  hereby agrees that within ten (10) days after request from
     Lessor,  or from any Fee Mortgagee,  Lessee shall execute a  subordination,
     non-disturbance and attornment agreement in a commercially  reasonable form
     subordinating this Lease Agreement to the interest of Fee Mortgagee.

          (c) The holder or beneficiary  of any Fee Mortgage is herein  referred
     to as a "Fee  Mortgagee".  The term "Fee  Mortgagee"  as used in this Lease
     Agreement shall also include the "Fee Mortgagee" as that term is defined in
     the Master Lease.

          (d) Without  limiting the effect of the  preceding  provisions of this
     Article  XI,  Lessee,  in the event of any  foreclosure  or deed in lieu of
     foreclosure or other final conveyance and transfer of Lessor's  interest as
     aforesaid, shall, upon request of the grantee thereof, recognize and attorn
     to the grantee thereof as "landlord" under this Lease Agreement.
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XII
                             INSPECTION AND REPORTS
                             ----------------------
 
     Section  12.01.  Condition  and  Operation.  The Lessor and its  authorized
representatives (the "Inspecting  Parties") may inspect, at its own expense, the
Facility.  After  an  Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing,  the
Inspecting Parties may also inspect, at their expense,  the books and records of
the Lessee relating to the Facility and make copies and abstracts therefrom. The
Lessee  shall  furnish to the  Inspecting  Parties  statements  accurate  in all
material  respects  regarding the condition and state of repair of the Facility,
all at such  times  and as often  as may be  reasonably  requested.  None of the
Inspecting  Parties shall have any duty to make any such  inspection or inquiry.
To the extent permissible,  the Lessee shall prepare and file in timely fashion,
or,  where the Lessor shall be required to file,  the Lessee  shall  prepare and
deliver to the Lessor within a reasonable time prior to the date for filing, any
reports with respect to the condition or operation of the Facility that shall be
required to be filed with any Governmental Authority.

     Section 12.02.  Annual Insurance Report. On or before March 15 of each year
during the Term,  and within ten (10) days after any material  adverse change in
the information set forth in the certificates  provided pursuant to Section 8.03
hereof, the Lessee shall deliver to the Lessor a report of a Responsible Officer
of the  Lessee  setting  forth (a) a  complete  list of all  insurance  policies
obtained and  maintained  by the Lessee  pursuant to Article  VIII,  (b) stating
whether such insurance policies comply with the requirements of Article VIII and
(c) stating whether all premiums then due thereon have been paid.

     Section 12.03. Financial Reports. During the Term, the Lessee shall provide
to the Lessor the following:

          (a) As soon as  available,  and in any event  within  thirty (30) days
     after  the  end of  each  month,  unaudited  financial  statements  for the
     Facility,  including  a  balance  sheet  as at the  end of such  month  and
     statements of income and retained  earnings and of cash flow for such month
     and for the period from the  beginning  of the Lease  Year.  There shall be
     included with such financial  statements (i) a certificate of a Responsible
     Officer  stating in effect that,  to the best of his  knowledge and belief,
     such  financial  statements  are true and correct and have been prepared in
     accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  consistently
     applied,  subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments and (ii) a
     certificate  of a Responsible  Officer  setting forth in detail  reasonably
     satisfactory  to the Lessor a calculation  of Cash Flow of the Facility for
     such month and for the Lease Year through the end of such month.

          (b) In  addition,  as soon as  available  and in any event  within one
     hundred  twenty  (120)  days after the end of each  Lease  Year,  financial
     statements  for the  Facility,  including a balance  sheet as of the end of
     such Lease Year, and statements of income and retained earnings and of cash
     flow for such Lease Year,  prepared in accordance  with generally  accepted

<PAGE>
     accounting  principles  consistently  applied and  accompanied by the audit
     opinion of a recognized firm of independent  certified  public  accountants
     acceptable  to the  Lessor.  There shall be  included  with such  financial
     statements a certificate of a Responsible  Officer  setting forth in detail
     reasonably  satisfactory  to the Lessor a  calculation  of Cash Flow of the
     Facility  for such Lease Year.  The Lessor shall have the right at any time
     to audit the  certificate  of Cash Flow required to be provided  hereunder.
     Such audit shall be performed by an independent certified public accounting
     firm  selected by the Lessor and shall be at the Lessor's  expense,  unless
     such audit results in the upward adjustment of Cash Flow for any Lease Year
     in an amount equal to two percent  (2%) or more of the Cash Flow  reflected
     on the certificate  provided to the Lessor by the Lessee, in which case the
     cost of such audit shall be paid by the Lessee and shall not be  considered
     Greenhouse  Expenses.  Any payments  required to be made as a result of any
     adjustment  to the Cash Flow shall be made  within ten (10)  Business  Days
     following receipt of the results of the audit.

          (c) The Lessor shall have the right to review the books and records of
     the Lessee  relating  to the  Facility  for the  purpose of  verifying  the
     accuracy of the financial statements and calculations of Cash Flow provided
     pursuant to Sections 12.03(a) and (b). and

          (d) On or before  January 31 of each year during the Term  (commencing
     on January 31, 1999), a certificate of a Responsible  Officer of the Lessee
     stating  that  such  Responsible  Officer  has made or  caused to be made a
     review of all  transactions  relating to the Facility and the financial and
     operating condition of the Lessee for the immediately  preceding Lease Year
     and that, based on such review, no Default or Event of Default has occurred
     during such year (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred,
     specifying  the  nature  thereof  and the  action  the  Lessee has taken or
     prepares to take with respect thereto).

     Section 12.04. Budget Approval. No later than the thirty (30) days prior to
the commencement of any Lease Year, the Lessee shall present to the Lessor,  its
budget for the Facility for the following  Lease Year,  prepared in satisfactory
detail.

     Section  12.05.  Liability.  The Lessee  shall,  promptly  after  obtaining
knowledge  thereof,  give prompt  written  notice to the Lessor of each accident
likely to result in material  damages or claims for material damages against the
Lessee or any other  Person with  respect to the  Facility in excess of $100,000
(if such  claims and  damages are  insured)  or $25,000  (if not  insured),  and
occurring  in whole or in part  (whenever  asserted)  during  the  Term,  and on
request shall furnish to the Lessor information as to the time, place and nature
thereof,  the names and addresses of the parties involved,  any Persons injured,
witnesses and Lessors of any property damaged and such other  information as may
be known to it, and shall  promptly upon request  furnish the Lessor with copies
of all correspondence,  papers, notices and documents whatsoever received by the
Lessee in connection therewith.

     Section 12.06. Liens. The Lessee shall promptly, and in no event later than
five (5) Business Days after it shall have obtained  knowledge of the attachment
of any Lien that it shall be obligated  to  discharge  or eliminate  pursuant to
Article V hereof,  notify the Lessor of the attachment of such Lien and the full
particulars thereof unless the same shall have been removed or discharged by the
Lessee.
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT
                                -----------------

     The following events shall  constitute  Events of Default (whether any such
event  shall  be  voluntary  or  involuntary  or come  about or be  effected  by
operation of law or pursuant to or in compliance  with any  judgment,  decree or
order  of any  court  or any  order,  rule  or  regulation  of any  Governmental
Authority):

          (a) the Lessee  shall fail to make any payment of Rent within five (5)
     days after the same shall have become due; or

          (b) the  Lessee  shall fail to make any  payment  of any other  amount
     payable  hereunder  within ten (10) days after  notice of such failure from
     the Lessor; or

          (c) the  Lessee  shall  fail  to  perform  or  observe  any  covenant,
     condition or agreement to be performed or observed by it under Article VIII
     or Article XI hereof within five (5) days after notice of such failure from
     the Lessor; or

          (d) the  Lessee  shall  fail  to  perform  or  observe  any  covenant,
     condition  of  agreement  (not  included in clause (a),  (b) or (c) of this
     Article  XIII) to be  performed  or observed by it  hereunder  or under any
     other Operative  Document and such failure shall continue  unremedied for a
     period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from the Lessor; or

          (e) the  filing  by the  Lessee of any  petition  for  dissolution  or
     liquidation of the Lessee or the  commencement by the Lessee of a voluntary
     case under any applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency or other similar law now
     or hereafter in effect,  or the Lessee shall have consented to the entry of
     an order  for  relief in an  involuntary  case  under any such law,  or the
     failure of the Lessee or  generally  to pay its debts as such debts  become
     due (within the meaning of the Bankruptcy  Reform Act of 1978, as amended),
     or the  failure  by  the  Lessee  promptly  to  satisfy  or  discharge  any
     execution, garnishment or attachment of such consequence as will impair its
     ability  to  carry  out  its  obligations  under  this  Agreement,  or  the
     appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, custodian or trustee (or
     other  similar  official)  for the  Lessee or any  substantial  part of its
     property,  or a general  assignment  by the Lessee  for the  benefit of its
     creditors, or the entry by the Lessee into an agreement of composition with
     its  creditors,  or the Lessee  shall have  taken any  corporate  action in
     furtherance of any of the foregoing; or the filing against the Lessee of an
     involuntary  petition in  bankruptcy  which  results in an order for relief
     being  entered  or,  notwithstanding  that an order for relief has not been
     entered,  the petition is not dismissed within  forty-five (45) days of the
     date of the filing of the petition, or the filing under any law relating to

<PAGE>

     bankruptcy,  insolvency  or relief of debtors of any  petition  against the
     Lessee for  reorganization,  composition,  extension  or  arrangement  with
     creditors  which  either  (i)  results  in a  finding  or  adjudication  of
     insolvency of the Lessee or (ii) is not dismissed  within  forty-five  (45)
     days of the date of the filing of such petition; or

          (f) any  representation  or  warranty  by the Lessee in any  Operative
     Document or in any certificate or document delivered pursuant thereto shall
     have been materially false when made; or

          (g) the  occurrence  of an Event of  Default  under the Line of Credit
     Facility Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE XIV
                                   ENFORCEMENT
                                   -----------

     Section 14.01. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at
any time thereafter so long as the same shall be continuing,  the Lessor may, at
its  option,  by notice to the Lessee,  declare  this Lease  Agreement  to be in
default,  and at any  time  thereafter  the  Lessor  may do one or  more  of the
following as the Lessor in its sole discretion shall determine:

          (a) the Lessor may, by notice to the Lessee, rescind or terminate this
     Lease Agreement;

          (b) the Lessor may (i) demand  that the Lessee,  and the Lessee  shall
     upon the written demand of the Lessor,  return the Facility promptly to the
     Lessor in the manner and condition required by, and otherwise in accordance
     with all of the  provisions  of,  Article VI hereof as if the Facility were
     being  returned at the end of the Term,  and the Lessor shall not be liable
     for the  reimbursement of the Lessee for any costs and expenses incurred by
     the  Lessee in  connection  therewith,  (ii)  enter  upon the Site and take
     immediate  possession  of (to the  exclusion of the Lessee) the Facility or
     remove the Plant or Equipment or both, by summary proceedings or otherwise,
     all  without  liability  to the  Lessee  for or by reason of such  entry or
     taking of  possession,  whether for the  restoration  of damage to property
     caused  by such  taking or  otherwise  and (iii)  offer  employment  to the
     Lessee's employees;

          (c) the  Lessor  may  sell all or any  part of the  Equipment  and its
     rights to the Plant and the Site at public or private  sale,  as the Lessor
     may  determine,  free and clear of any rights of the Lessee and without any
     duty to account to the Lessee  with  respect to such  action or inaction or
     any proceeds with respect thereto;

          (d) the Lessor may lease to others all or any part of the  Facility as
     the  Lessor in its sole  discretion  may  determine,  free and clear of any

<PAGE>
     rights of the Lessee  and  without  any duty to account to the Lessee  with
     respect to such action or for any  proceeds  with respect to such action or
     inaction,  except that the Lessee's  obligation to pay Rent with respect to
     the  Facility  for  periods  commencing  after the  Lessee  shall have been
     deprived of use of the  Facility  pursuant to this  paragraph  (d) shall be
     reduced by the net proceeds,  if any,  actually received by the Lessor from
     leasing  the  Facility  to any  Person  other  than the Lessee for the same
     periods or any portion thereof;

          (e) the Lessor may demand that the Lessee  assign to the Lessor (or to
     a third party  designated by the Lessor to operate the Facility) all of the
     Lessee's rights under any agreement or contract  entered into by the Lessee
     in  connection  with the  operation  of the  Facility,  including,  without
     limitation,  the  Management  Agreement,  and the Lessee shall  execute and
     deliver  to the  Lessor (or such third  party)  such  assignments  or other
     instruments as the Lessor may reasonably  request in connection  therewith;
     and

          (f) the  Lessor may  exercise  any other  right or remedy  that may be
     available to it under applicable law or proceed by appropriate court action
     to enforce the terms hereof or to recover damages for the breach hereof.

     Section  14.02.  Survival  of Lessee's  Obligations.  Except as provided in
subsection  14.01(d) above, no termination of this Lease Agreement,  in whole or
in part,  or  repossession  of all or any portion of the Facility or exercise of
any remedy under  Section 14.01 hereof shall,  except as  specifically  provided
therein, relieve the Lessee of any of its liabilities and obligations hereunder.
In addition, the Lessee shall be liable, except as otherwise provided above, for
any and all unpaid Rent due  hereunder  before,  during or after the exercise of
any of the foregoing remedies,  including all reasonable legal fees and expenses
and other costs and expenses  incurred by the Lessor by reason of the occurrence
of any Event of Default or the  exercise of the Lessor's  remedies  with respect
thereto,  and including all costs and expenses  incurred in connection  with the
return of the Facility in the manner and condition required by, and otherwise in
accordance  with the  provisions  of, Article VI hereof as if such Facility were
being returned at the end of the Term.

     Section 14.03. Remedies Cumulative. To the extent permitted by, and subject
to the mandatory  requirements of,  applicable law, each and every right,  power
and remedy  herein  specifically  given to the Lessor or otherwise in this Lease
Agreement  shall be  cumulative  and shall be in addition to every other  right,
power and remedy herein  specifically given or now or hereafter existing at law,
in equity or by  statute,  and each and every  right,  power and remedy  whether
specifically  herein given or otherwise  existing may be exercised  from time to
time and as often and in such order as may be deemed  expedient  by the  Lessor,
and the  exercise or the  beginning of the exercise of any power or remedy shall
not be  construed  to be a waiver of the right to  exercise  at the same time or
thereafter any right, power or remedy. No delay or omission by the Lessor in the
exercise  of any right,  power or remedy or in the  pursuit of any remedy  shall
impair any such  right,  power or remedy or be  construed  to be a waiver of any
default on the part of the Lessee or to be an acquiescence  therein.  No express

<PAGE>

or implied  waiver by the Lessor of any Event of Default shall in any way be, or
be construed to be, a waiver of any future or subsequent Event of Default.


                                   ARTICLE XV
                           RIGHT TO PERFORM FOR LESSEE
                           ---------------------------

     If the Lessee  shall fail to perform or comply  with any of its  agreements
contained herein, the Lessor may perform or comply with such agreement,  and the
amount of such payment and the amount of the expenses of the Lessor  incurred in
connection  with such  payment or the  performance  of or  compliance  with such
agreement,  as the case may be,  together with  interest  thereon at the Overdue
Rate, shall be payable by the Lessee upon demand.


                                   ARTICLE XVI
                                   INDEMNITIES
                                   -----------
     Section 16.01.  General Indemnity.

          (a)  Payment of Expenses by Lessee.  The Lessee  shall pay,  and shall
     indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee  from and against,  any and all
     liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  claims, actions,
     suits,  costs,  expenses  and  disbursements,   including  legal  fees  and
     expenses,  of  whatsoever  kind and nature  (collectively,  "Expenses"  and
     individually,  an "Expense"),  imposed on, incurred by or asserted  against
     any Indemnitee (whether because of an action or omission by such Indemnitee
     or otherwise),  in any way relating to or arising out of the occupation and
     operation of the Facility by the Lessee and the  production and sale of the
     Product.

          (b) Exceptions.  The indemnities  contained in Section 16.01(a) hereof
     with regard to any  particular  Indemnitee  shall not extend to any Expense
     (i)  resulting  from the willful  misconduct  or gross  negligence  of such
     Indemnitee  (other than willful  misconduct or gross negligence  imputed to
     such  Indemnitee  solely by reason of its interest in the  Facility),  (ii)
     resulting  solely  from  the  breach  by  such  Indemnitee  of  any  of its
     representations,  warranties  or covenants  in any of the Lease  Documents,
     (iii) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing  and
     Lessor shall be  exercising  remedies with respect  thereto,  to the extent
     such Expense shall relate to acts or events not  attributable to the Lessee
     that occur after the Term,  (iv) so long as no Event of Default  shall have
     occurred  and be  continuing,  to the  extent  attributable  solely  to the
     disposition or attempted disposition of the Facility or any interest in any
     thereof,  by or on behalf of any  Indemnitee,  other than a transfer of the
     Facility  pursuant  to  Article  XIV  hereof  or as  required  by any Lease
     Documents,  (v)  constituting  Fees,  Taxes or Other  Charges or (vi) which
     constitutes internal, overhead expenses of the Indemnitee.
<PAGE>
          (c) Notice.  If any party  entitled to  indemnity  under this  Section
     16.01 or the Lessee shall have  received  written  notice of any  liability
     indemnified  against under this Section 16.01,  it shall give prompt notice
     thereof to the Lessee, or the party entitled to be indemnified, as the case
     may be, but the failure to give such notice shall not affect any obligation
     under this Section 16.01. In case any action,  including any  investigatory
     proceeding,  shall be brought  against,  or commenced  with respect to, any
     Indemnitee  in respect of which the Lessee is  required to  indemnify  such
     Indemnitee  pursuant to the  provisions of this Section  16.01,  the Lessee
     shall  have  the  right  to  assume  the  defense  thereof,  including  the
     employment of counsel  reasonably  satisfactory  to such Indemnitee and the
     payment of all expenses. In the event the Lessee assumes the defense of any
     such action, any Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel
     in such action and participate  therein,  but the fees and expenses of such
     counsel  shall  be at the  expense  of  such  Indemnitee,  unless  (i)  the
     employment of such counsel has been specifically  authorized by the Lessee,
     or (ii) the named parties to such action (including any impleaded  parties)
     include  both such  Indemnitee  and the Lessee and  representation  of such
     Indemnitee and the Lessee by the same counsel would be inappropriate  under
     applicable  standards  of  professional  conduct due to actual or potential
     conflicting  interests  between  them or (iii) the counsel  employed by the
     Lessee and satisfactory to such Indemnitee has advised such Indemnitee,  in
     writing,  that such counsel's  representation  of such Indemnitee  would be
     likely to involve such counsel in  representing  differing  interests which
     could  adversely  affect  either the judgment or loyalty of such counsel to
     such  Indemnitee,  whether it be a  conflicting,  inconsistent,  diverse or
     other interest (in which case the Lessee shall not have the right to assume
     the  defense  of such  action  on  behalf  of  such  Indemnitee;  it  being
     understood,  however,  tht the Lessee shall not, in connection with any one
     such action,  or separate but  substantially  similar or related actions in
     the same  jurisdiction  arising  out of the  same  general  allegations  or
     circumstances,  be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than
     one separate firm of attorneys,  and of any local counsel  retained by such
     firm,  at any one  time for  each  such  Indemnitee,  which  firm  shall be
     designated in writing by such  Indemnitee).  The Lessee shall not be liable
     for any settlement of any such action effected without its consent,  but if
     settled  with the  consent of the  Lessee or if there be a final  judgment,
     beyond further review or appeal,  in any such action,  the Lessee agrees to
     indemnify  and hold  harmless any  Indemnitee  from and against any loss or
     liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

          (d)  Payment.  The  Lessee  covenants  and  agrees to pay all  amounts
     required  to be paid under  this  Section  16.01 on demand by the  relevant
     Indemnitee.
<PAGE>
     Section 16.02.  Fees, Taxes and Other Charges.

          (a)  Payment by Lessee.

                         (i)  The  Lessee   hereby  agrees  to  pay  and  assume
          liability  for, and on written demand to indemnify,  protect,  defend,
          save and hold harmless each Indemnitee  from and against,  any and all
          governmental or quasi-governmental  fees (including without limitation
          license and registration  fees),  taxes (including  without limitation
          gross receipts,  franchise,  sales, use,  property,  real or personal,
          tangible  or  intangible),  interest  equalization  and  stamp  taxes,
          assessments,  levies, imposts,  duties, charges or withholdings of any
          nature  whatsoever,  together  with  any and all  penalties,  fines or
          interest thereon ("Fees, Taxes and Other Charges") imposed against any
          Indemnitee,  the Lessee or the Facility or any portion  thereof by any
          Federal, state or local governmental or taxing authority in the United
          States of America or by any foreign  government or any  subdivision or
          taxing authority  thereof,  upon or with respect to the occupation and
          operation of the Facility by the Lessee and the production and sale of
          the Product.

                        (ii) Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary set forth
          above, the provisions of this Section 16.02 shall not apply to:

                    (A) Fees,  Taxes and Other  Charges on, or measured in whole
               or in part by (y) the net income or gross income of an Indemnitee
               or (z) the franchise,  capital, conduct of business, net worth or
               tax preference of an Indemnitee;

                    (B) Fees,  Taxes and Other  Charges to the extent on, levied
               on, or  measured  by,  any fees or  compensation  received  by an
               Indemnitee  for  services   rendered  in  connection   with  this
               Agreement;

                    (C)  Fees,  Taxes or Other  Charges  which  result  from any
               Indemnitee engaged in activities not related to this Agreement;

                    (D) so long as no  Event  of  Default  has  occurred  and is
               continuing,  Fees,  Taxes or other Charges imposed as a result of
               the voluntary sale, transfer,  assignment or other disposition of
               any  interest  in  the  Facility  by  an   Indemnitee,   if  such
               disposition  shall  not  be  pursuant  to or in  connection  with
               Article XIV hereof;

                    (E) Fees, Taxes or Other Charges imposed solely with respect
               to any  period  after  the end of the  Term  unless  an  Event of
               Default has  occurred and is  continuing  and the Lessor shall be
               exercising remedies with respect thereto;
<PAGE>
                    (F) Fees,  Taxes or Other  Charges  imposed as the result of
               any  transfer or  disposition  of any interest in the Facility by
               any Indemnitee resulting from bankruptcy or other proceedings for
               the relief of debtors  (voluntary  or  involuntary)  in which the
               transferor is the debtor; or

                    (G) Fees, Taxes and Other Charges imposed solely as a result
               of the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Indemnitee.

                       (iii) In case any report or return is required to be made
          with respect to any obligations of the Lessee under this Section 16.02
          or arising out of this Section 16.02,  the Lessee shall, to the extent
          permitted  by law,  either  make such  report or return in such manner
          (including  the making  thereof in the Lessor's name) as will show the
          Lessorship  of the  Equipment  in the  Lessor  and send a copy of such
          report or return to the  Lessor,  or shall  notify  the Lessor of such
          requirement  and make such report or return in such manner as shall be
          reasonably  satisfactory to the Lessor. Each Indemnitee agrees that it
          will  promptly  forward to the Lessee any  notice,  bill or any advice
          received by it concerning  any such Fees,  Taxes and Other Charges and
          will, at Lessee's  expense,  use its best efforts and take such lawful
          and  reasonable  steps as may be  proposed by the Lessee in writing to
          minimize  any of the same for which the  Lessee is  responsible  under
          this Section 16.02.

                        (iv) The amount  which the Lessee  shall be  required to
          pay to or for the account of any Indemnitee  with respect to any Fees,
          Taxes and Other  Charges  which are subject to  indemnification  under
          this  Section  16.02  shall be an amount  sufficient  to  restore  the
          Indemnitee to the same position the Indemnitee  would have been in had
          such Fees,  Taxes and Other Charges not been  incurred or imposed.  If
          the payment by the Lessee under this Section  16.02 of an amount equal
          to such Fees,  Taxes and Other  Charges would be more or less than the
          amount  which  would be required  to make such  Indemnitee  whole as a
          result of any tax  effect to an  Indemnitee  in  connection  with such
          payment  of such  Fees,  Taxes or Other  Charges,  including,  without
          limitation  (A) the  inclusion of any payment to be made by the Lessee
          under this Section  16.02 in the taxable  income of any  Indemnitee in
          one year and the  deduction of the Fees,  Taxes and Other Charges with
          respect to which such payment is made from the taxable  income of such
          Indemnitee in a different year, (B) the nondeductibility of such Fees,
          Taxes and Other Charges from the taxable income of such  Indemnitee or
          (C) the anticipated realization by such Indemnitee in a different year
          of tax benefits  resulting  from the  transaction  giving rise to such
          Fees, Taxes and Other Charges,  the amount of the indemnity to be paid

<PAGE>
          by the Lessee shall be adjusted to an amount which (after  taking into
          account all tax effects on such  Indemnitee,  any loss of use of money
          resulting  from  differences  in timing  between the inclusion of such
          indemnity in the taxable income of such Indemnitee and the anticipated
          realization  by such  Indemnitee  of tax benefits  resulting  from the
          transaction  to which such  indemnity is related and the present value
          of  any  anticipated  future  tax  benefits  to be  realized  by  such
          Indemnitee as a result of deducting such Fees, Taxes and Other Charges
          or as a  result  of the  transaction  giving  rise  thereto)  will  be
          sufficient  to  place  the   Indemnitee  in  the  same  position  such
          Indemnitee  would have been inhad such Fees,  Taxes and Other  Charges
          not been imposed.  All computations for purposes hereof shall be based
          on tax rates in effect on the date  payment  pursuant to this  Section
          16.02  is  made.  Computations  involving  the loss of use of money or
          calculations  of present  value shall be based on the Overdue  Rate as
          adjusted for applicable  income tax effects and compounded  monthly on
          the Basic Rent Payment Dates.  Each Indemnitee shall in good faith use
          reasonable  efforts in filing  its tax  returns  and in  dealing  with
          taxing  authorities to seek and claim all tax benefits  available with
          respect to items referred to herein.

          (b) Refunds.  If any Indemnitee shall obtain a refund or credit of all
     or any part of any Fees,  Taxes and Other Charges,  payment of or indemnity
     for which  shall  have been made by the  Lessee  pursuant  to this  Section
     16.02, such Indemnitee shall, unless a Default or an Event of Default shall
     have occurred and be continuing,  promptly pay to the Lessee (i) the amount
     of  such  refund  or  credit  (together  with  any  interest  paid  to such
     Indemnitee with respect to such refund or credit) plus (ii) an amount equal
     to all tax  benefits  realized  by such  Indemnitee  as the  result  of the
     payment of the  amounts  referred  to in clause  (i) above and this  clause
     (ii).

     Section 16.03.  Survival.  The obligations of the Lessee under this Article
XVI shall survive the  termination  of this Agreement and are expressly made for
the  benefit  of and  shall be  enforceable  by any  Indemnitee,  separately  or
together,  without declaring this Agreement to be in default and notwithstanding
any  assignment  by the  Lessor of this  Lease  Agreement  or any of its  rights
hereunder.  The extension of applicable statutes of limitations by an Indemnitee
or the Lessee shall not affect the survival of the Lessee's or any  Indemnitee's
obligations,  as the case may be, under this Article XVI. The obligations of the
Indemnitees shall survive the termination of this Lease Agreement.  All payments
required to be paid  pursuant to Article  XVI shall be made  directly  to, or as
otherwise requested by, the Indemnitee entitled thereof,  upon written demand by
such Indemnitee.  All such written demands shall specify the amounts payable and
the facts upon which the right to indemnification is based.

     Section 16.04.  Waiver. The Lessee hereby waives all tort claims and causes
of  action in tort it may have at any time  against  any  Indemnitee  in any way
relating to or arising from or alleged to relate to or arise from any  Operative
Document,  except with regard to circumstances  constituting an exception to the
Lessee's obligation to indemnify pursuant to Section 16.01(b) hereof.
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE XVII
                     COVENANTS AND REPRESENTATIONS OF LESSEE
                     ---------------------------------------
 
     Section 17.01. Operation of Facility. During the Term, the Lessee shall use
its best  efforts  to operate  the  Facility  (including  the  sowing,  growing,
harvesting and packaging of the Product) at its fullest  productive  capacity as
would  a  prudent  commercial  greenhouse  Lessee  under  the  same  or  similar
circumstances  and to market the Product with  substantially the same effort and
on the same terms as used for product produced at other  facilities  operated by
the Lessee or its  Affiliates.  The Lessee hereby agrees to give prompt  written
notice to the Lessor if at any time the Lessee  becomes  aware that the Facility
is not being  operated at its fullest  productive  capacity.  The Lessee further
agrees  that it will  not use the  Facility  for  any  purpose  other  than  the
production  of tomatoes or, with the Lessor's  consent,  any other  agricultural
product.

     Section 17.02.  Affiliated Transactions.

          (a) In the event the Lessee uses the Facility to pack,  store,  grade,
     separate or distribute Product grown in greenhouses other than the Facility
     owned, leased, operated or managed by the Lessee, then the Lessee agrees to
     charge  such  greenhouses  a fee per pound  that is  satisfactory  to,  and
     approved  in advanced  by, the Lessor plus an amount  equal to at least the
     Lessee's  cost for boxes and packing  materials.  Without the prior written
     consent  of the  Lessor,  the  Lessee  shall not use the  Facility  for any
     product other than the Product.

          (b) In the event the Lessee purchases any equipment, supplies or other
     items  from  any  Affiliate,  such  purchases  shall  be on  terms  no less
     favorable than those available from unaffiliated parties.

          (c) The  Lessee  shall  provide  to the  Lessor on a monthly  basis in
     detail  satisfactory  to the  Lessor a list of all  Product  handled by the
     Facility  for  greenhouses  pursuant to  subsection  17.02(a) and all items
     purchased  from  Affiliates  and the  purchase  price  thereof  pursuant to
     subsection 17.02(b).

     Section 17.03.  Waiver of Operating or Efficiency  Standards.  Lessee shall
use its  reasonable  best efforts to assist Lessor in obtaining and  maintaining
all necessary  permits and approvals  for the  operation of the  greenhouse  and
shall fully  cooperate with Birchwood in the event  Birchwood  seeks a waiver of
the operating or efficiency  standards  for a  "Qualifying  Facility"  under the
Federal Power Act or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's regulations,  as
any of the foregoing may be now or hereafter amended.

     Section  17.04.  Representations  and  Warranties of Lessee.  Lessee hereby
warrants and represents to Lessor, Master Landlord, and each Fee Mortgagee that:

          (a) Lessee has not entered into any  contract or agreement  with other
     Persons   regarding  the  provision  of  thermal  supply  relating  to  the
     Greenhouse  Facility,  and Lessee will not,  without the consent of Lessor,
     enter into any  successor or  additional  contracts  for thermal  energy or
     steam supply to the Greenhouse Facility.
<PAGE>
          (b) There is not pending or  threatened  against  Lessee or any of its
     Affiliates,  and Lessee knows of no facts or circumstances  that might give
     rise to, any civil, criminal or administrative action, suit, demand, claim,
     hearing, notice or demand letter, notice of violation,  environmental lien,
     investigation,   or  proceeding   relating  in  any  way  to  Environmental
     Requirements.

          (c) Neither this Lease Agreement nor any other  instrument,  document,
     agreement,   financial  statement,  financial  projections  or  certificate
     furnished  to Lessor or  Master  Landlord  by or on behalf of Lessee or any
     affiliate of Lessee in connection  herewith contains an untrue statement of
     a material fact or omits to state any material  fact  necessary to make the
     statements  therein,  in light of the  circumstances  under which they were
     made,  not  misleading  or omits to state any fact  which may in the future
     have a material  adverse  effect on the  financial  condition  or  business
     prospects of Lessee.


                                  ARTICLE XVIII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------
 
       Section 18.01. Further Assurances. The Lessee shall cause the Lease
Documents and any amendments  and  supplements to any of them (together with any
other instruments,  financing statements,  continuation  statements,  records or
papers  necessary  in  connection  therewith)  to be recorded  and/or  filed and
rerecorded  and/or refiled in each jurisdiction as and to the extent required by
law in order to, and shall  take such other  actions as may from time to time be
necessary  to,  establish,  perfect and maintain the Lessor's  right,  title and
interest  in and to the  Facility,  not  subject to any Liens  except  Permitted
Liens.  The Lessee will promptly and duly execute and deliver to the Lessor such
documents  and  assurances  and take such further  action as the Lessor may from
time to time  reasonably  request  in order to carry  out more  effectively  the
intent and  purpose of the Lease  Documents  and to  establish  and  protect the
rights and remedies created or intended to be created in favor of the Lessor, to
establish, perfect and maintain the Lessor's right, title and interest in and to
the  Facility,  including  without  limitation if requested by the Lessor at the
expense of the Lessee,  the recording or filing of  counterparts  or appropriate
memoranda  of the Lease  Documents,  or of such  financing  statements  or other
documents  with respect  thereto as the Lessor may from time to time  reasonably
request,  and the Lessor  agrees  promptly to execute  and  deliver  such of the
foregoing  financing  statements or other documents as may require  execution by
the Lessor.

     Section  18.02.  Quiet  Enjoyment.  The Lessor  covenants  that it will not
interfere in the Lessee's quiet enjoyment of the Facility  hereunder  during the
Term,  so long as (a) the Lessee is in  compliance  with each term and condition
hereof and (b) no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing.

     Section 18.03. Notices.  Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all
notices,  consents,  directions,  approvals,  instructions,  requests  and other
communications  required  or  permitted  by the terms  hereof to be given to any
Person shall be in writing and any such notice shall become  effective three (3)
Business Days after being  deposited in the mails,  certified or registered with
appropriate  postage prepaid for first-class mail or, if delivered by hand or in
the form of a telex or  telegram,  when  received,  and shall be directed to the
Address of such Person.
<PAGE>
     Section 18.04. Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement that shall be
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction  shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such  prohibition  or  unenforceability  without
invalidating  the  remaining  provisions  hereof  and any  such  prohibition  or
unenforceability   in  any   jurisdiction   shall  not   invalidate   or  render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.  To the extent permitted
by  applicable  law, the Lessee  hereby waives any provision of law that renders
any provision hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

     Section  18.05.  Amendment.  Neither  this  Agreement  nor any of the terms
hereof may be terminated, amended, supplemented,  waived or modified orally, but
only  by an  instrument  in  writing  signed  by the  party  against  which  the
enforcement of the termination,  amendment,  supplement,  waiver or modification
shall be sought.

     Section 18.06.  Headings. The Table of Contents and headings of the various
Articles and Sections of this  Agreement are for  convenience  of reference only
and shall not modify, define or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.

     Section 18.07. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by the parties
hereto in separate  counterparts,  each of which when so executed and  delivered
shall be an original,  but all such counterparts  shall together  constitute but
one and the same instrument.

     Section  18.08.  Governing  Law. This  Agreement has been delivered in, and
shall in all respects be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  applicable  to  agreements  made  and to be
performed  entirely  within such State,  including all matters of  construction,
validity and performance.

     Section 18.9. Binding Effect;  Successors and Assigns;  Survival. The terms
and  provisions of this  Agreement,  and the respective  rights and  obligations
hereunder of the Lessor and the Lessee,  shall be binding upon their  respective
successors and assigns (including, in the case of the Lessor, any Person to whom
the Lessor may transfer all or any portions of the  Facility),  and inure to the
benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns. The obligations of
the Lessee under this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

     Section  18.10.  Divisible  Lease  Agreement.  It is the  intention  of the
parties hereto that this Agreement  shall  constitute the lease of both personal
property and real property and, to such extent, shall be deemed divisible. It is
the intention  and  understanding  of the parties  hereto that all the Equipment
constitutes  personal  property  and all the  Site  and  Plant  constitute  real
property  for all  purposes  of this  Lease  Agreement  and the other  documents
referred to herein and for all purposes of bankruptcy laws of the United States;
provided,  however,  that nothing herein shall affect the rights and obligations
of Lessor or Lessee under  Section  18.01 hereof,  it being  understood  that no
filing, refiling,  recording,  re-recording,  registration or re-registration in
any office for the  filing,  recording  or  registration  of  interests  in real
property shall constitute or be deemed to constitute evidence or an admission by
Lessor or Lessee that the Equipment is real property.

     Section 18.11.  Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall become  effective upon
the date (the "Effective Date") the last of the following events occurs:

          (a)  the Closing Date;
<PAGE>
          (b) the receipt of any necessary consent of the Lessor's lenders under
     the Lessor's financing documents; and

          (c) upon Notice of  Substantial  Completion (as defined in the General
     Contractor's Agreement) of the Plant

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned have each caused this Lease Agreement
to be duly executed
and delivered and their corporate  seals to be hereunto  affixed and attested by
their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first
above written.

Attest:                            RIPE TOUCH GREENHOUSES, INC.

______________________________     By:_____________________________________
__________________ Secretary       Name:
                                   Title:
     [Corporate Seal]


Attest:                            VILLAGE FARMS OF COLORADO, INC.

______________________________     By:_____________________________________
__________________ Secretary       Name:  J. Kevin Cobb
                                   Title: Vice President
     [Corporate Seal]
<PAGE>

                                                               SCHEDULE 1.01(a)
                                                             TO LEASE AGREEMENT



                             Description of Facility


PART 1: Description of Equipment
        ------------------------
        The Equipment described on Annex A hereto.


PART 2: Description of Plant
        --------------------  
        The greenhouse  plant including  fixtures  containing  approximately  38
acres and the headhouse building located on the Site described in Part 3.


PART 3: Description of Site
        -------------------  
        The property described on Annex B hereto.

<PAGE>


                                                                  SCHEDULE 3.01
                                                             TO LEASE AGREEMENT

INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

<PAGE>


                                                                  SCHEDULE 3.02
                                                             TO LEASE AGREEMENT


                          SCHEDULE OF SUPPLEMENTAL RENT
                          -----------------------------

Supplemental Rent shall be payable to the Lessor on each Supplemental Basic Rent
Payment Date in an amount equal to the percentage (Supplemental Rent Percentage)
of cash flow for the calendar  quarter  preceding  the  Supplemental  Basic Rent
Payment Date. The Supplemental Rent Percentage is defined as follows:

  Supplemental Rent Percentage shall equal 40%.

Notwithstanding  anything  contrary  herein  or  in  the  Lease  Agreement,  the
Supplemental  Rent will be  determined  after  paying  all  Greenhouse  Expenses
including but not limited to Management and Marketing Fees and Lease Payments to
the Lessor.



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