The world’s largest indoor vertical farm is set to be built in New Jersey.
Urban agricultural company AeroFarms has announced a $30m project to redevelop a former industrial site in the city of Newark into the world’s largest indoor vertical farm.
The 69,000 square foot facility, which will also serve as AeroFarms’ global headquarters, will be capable of aeroponically growing two million pounds of soil-free leafy greens and herbs each year.
The project has been developed by AeroFarms in partnership with RBH Group, Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, Prudential Financial, the City of Newark and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
The vertical farm will be housed in a converted steel factory, and will use AeroFarms innovative aeroponics technology which grows soil-free plants by spraying a mist of high-nutrient solution onto the crops.
Instead of soil, the plants will take root in a permeable micro fleece cloth stretched across modular and stackable planters.
AeroFarms CEO, David Rosenberg, said the new farm would offer a fresher product while also creating jobs for the Newark community.
“We are excited to redefine not only the Garden State but also agriculture overall,” he said.
“Partnering with RBH, Goldman Sachs, Prudential, the City of Newark and NJEDA allows us to bring our global headquarters and the world’s largest indoor vertical farm close to where the consumer is, offering a fresher, more nutritious and delicious product while also creating jobs in the community.”
AeroFarms was recently announced as the winner of the Red Herring’s North America 100 award, which recognises the leading private companies from North America.
The first phase of the vertical farm project is slated to open later this year.
