State officials in New Jersey broke ground and welcomed the world’s largest indoor vertical farm. This news release from the governor’s office says AeroFarms’ new 69,000-square-foot headquarters and indoor vertical farm is the future today.
“This isn’t your father’s farming. The farms of the future – like AeroFarms – rely ever more closely on technology,” said Acting Governor [Kim] Guadagno. “As agriculture faces rising demand and limited resources, we celebrate an important step in tackling those challenges head-on. Today we break ground on a vertical farm in the heart of the Ironbound District that will provide the community with healthy produce through sustainable and environmentally friendly farming.”
Founded in 2004, AeroFarms is the commercial leader for indoor vertical farming, using aeroponics and LEDs to grow year-round crops without sun, soil or pesticides. When completed, the new facility will have the capacity to grow up to 2 million pounds of baby leafy greens and herbs per year. Its year-round growing cycle offers 75 times more productivity per square foot annually than a traditional field farm while consuming more than 95% less water…
“New Jersey has a long agricultural tradition, and we are not only known for our rich farmland and high-quality product, but also as a leader in new agricultural technologies,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “We welcome AeroFarms’ indoor vertical farming to the Garden State and have had the chance to see their impressive operation. We look forward to their full-scale production of flavorful and healthy leafy greens year-round.”
“Today’s groundbreaking takes us one step closer to addressing the tremendous demand for our locally grown produce that is setting a new culinary standard for freshness and taste. We are excited to redefine not only the Garden State but also agriculture overall,” said David Rosenberg, CEO for AeroFarms. “Partnering with RBH, Goldman Sachs, Prudential, NJEDA, the City of Newark, and the ICC allows us to bring our global headquarters and the world’s largest indoor vertical farm close to where the consumer is, while also creating jobs.”
Originally headquartered in Ithaca, New York, AeroFarms received a $6.55 million New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) award to come to the Garden State.