
(Reuters/Edgar Su)
Is World’s Largest Indoor Farm the Way of the Future?
The old SONY factory in Japan has been resurrected as an indoor farm that is the largest of its kind; rather than using soil, plants are raised hydroponically. LED fixtures are programmed to adjust their illumination in a cycle that maximizes photosynthesis. And with 1 percent of the water that’s used for irrigation, this lettuce grows twice as fast as lettuce grown outdoors.
Incubator Farms Nurture Agriculture Entrepreneurs
The Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming is one of dozens of incubator farms springing up around the country to nurture the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. The projects help would-be farmers by providing a plot of land, shared equipment, mentoring on business planning and marketing, and the opportunity to build a track record of success to qualify for startup loans.
This Gigantic Urban “Skyfarm” Looks Like a Tree and Grows Food for the Masses
Conceived for Seoul, South Korea, the Skyfarm would be a massive techno tree rising amongst the skyscrapers. The concept would provide arable space to grow crops in a tightly packed city while also providing public green spaces, producing energy, purifying water, and cleaning the air — and the structure’s great height will get that air cleaning up where it’s needed most.
