Food
Big Indoor Farms In Appalachia Transforming Coal Country Into Food Hub
Can produce 30 times more food than conventional farms!
A Kentucky-based company ‘AppHarvest’ aims to restore economically suffering communities in former coal country through an indoor growing technology that can produce 30 times more food production than conventional farms. The Morehead Kentucky headquarters can presently grow 45 million pounds of non-GMO chemical pesticide-free crops, including tomatoes using recycled rainwater to grow-year-round, unhindered by the seasons’ burden.
AppHarvest grew 45 million pounds of non-GMO chemical pesticide-free crops, including tomatoes using recycled rainwater
Home economics legend Martha Stewart is a board member of AppHarvest, and she believes that this alternative farming might be the future of produce. ‘AppHarvest’s high-tech, sustainable approach is the future of food, and this first harvest allows us to provide consumers with chemical pesticide-free, nutrient-rich, flavorful produce that making a difference they can feel good about.’ Martha said in a press release.
Martha Stewart is a board member, and she believes that this alternative farming might be the future of produce
The Kentucky-based company, which aim to restore economically suffering communities, can produce 30 times more food production than conventional farms
She added: ‘I have been testing the early sample tomatoes, which are delicious, and I am already looking forward to integrating them into my kitchen and recipes this year.’ All of their indoor farms, an estimated three are situated in Kentucky, focusing on providing their farm produce to the Appalachian area while ensuring it reaches the market.
The Founder and CEO –Jonathan Webb, claim their mission is to establish a climate-resilient infrastructure that offers people a delicious tomato sustainably grown in Appalachia with 100% recycled rainwater and zero chemical pesticides. Besides delivering harvested beefsteak tomatoes to grocery stores like Walmart and Kroger, AppHarvest equally partnered with Eastern Kentucky high schools to introduce and incorporate an Agricultural tech curriculum.
Besides delivering harvested beefsteak tomatoes to grocery stores, AppHarvest has now partnered with Eastern Kentucky high schools to incorporate an Agricultural tech curriculum
Specifically, the company invested hundreds of thousands of dollars providing high-tech container farms in the shape of retrofitted shipping containers to offer students a chance to grow their food while learning the importance of nutritious vegetables and fruits. Nonetheless, the company has secured over $1billion in financing as they hope to establish about 12 farms up and running in the next four years.
