AeroFarms has the right idea bringing an advanced technology that is creating jobs and opportunities for development research to a state with such a rich farming history.
Look Inside This $42 Million Dollar Indoor Farm!
Regina Woodard | Pure Greens LLC
AeroFarms will be investing $42 million to build the world’s largest indoor farming facility.
Aeroponics is a technique derived from hydroponics where the roots are exposed and nourished with nutrient-enriched mist.
AeroFarms patented aeroponic growing system yields 390 times more per square foot annually than a commercial field farm.
The patented system uses a closed-loop which uses 95% less water than field farming and 40% less water than hydroponics.
The new indoor farm will be located in Cane Creek Centre, a joint industrial park, for the city of Danville and Pittsylvania County in Virginia.
Fred Shanks, Chair of the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority said:
“AeroFarms is a perfect example of how blending technology with agriculture can provide an environmentally responsible solution to growing nutritious food. Given the history and importance of agriculture to this region, I cannot think of a better place for AeroFarms to locate. We are delighted to welcome them to this great community.”
Fred Shanks, Chair of the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority
Virginia has a rich farming history with agriculture being a major part of the early economy.
92 jobs are being created because of this new development as well as potential future collaboration opportunities with The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research to “build on the work with Fortune 100 companies to solve broader ag-related supply chain issues.”
“AeroFarms is on a mission to transform agriculture by building and operating environmentally responsible farms throughout the world to enable local production at scale and nourish communities with safe, nutritious, and delicious food”, their website reads.
The new farm will be 150,000 square-feet, double the size of AeroFarms’ headquarters that’s located in Newark, New Jersey.
To help in the efforts of bringing this indoor farm to Virginia, Governor Ralph Northam approved a $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund and a $200,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund.
Governor Northam commented, “AeroFarms is a leader in agricultural innovation with farming technologies that make high-quality, local produce available to more communities. We are bringing capital investment and economic opportunity to rural Virginia by recruiting innovative companies like AeroFarms.”
The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission also approved a $190,000 grant from the Tobacco Regional Opportunity Fund.
With these grants and funding, Virginia was able to secure the location over North Carolina, who was also bidding to bring the indoor farm to their state.
“The Tobacco Commission has always supported Virginia’s agriculture industry, the backbone of our state’s economy, and attracting AeroFarms to Danville-Pittsylvania County is a big win. AeroFarms’ technologically advanced approach to farming is an example of how the industry is adapting to meet the demands of modern consumers and I am pleased that they chose to grow their business here in Southside Virginia” said Senator Frank Ruff, Tobacco Commission Vice-Chairman.
AeroFarms has the right idea bringing an advanced technology that is creating jobs and opportunities for development research to a state with such a rich farming history.
AeroFarms’ Co-Founder and CEO, David Rosenberg, commented, “We want to thank everyone for helping bring our tenth and largest, most advanced indoor vertical farm to life to create new jobs and increase access to healthier foods with better flavor.”
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AgriTechTomorrow
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