Urban farmers in Chicago are in the process of turning a meatpacking plant into a massive vertical, indoor farm. Operating in a 93,500-square foot building, the plan is to operate both nonprofit and for-profit farms in the space.
An anaerobic generator will heat the building and provide power, using food waste for fuel. Planners hope eventually to burn 10,000 tons of food waste per year, including food waste from surrounding areas, and become completely energy independent.
Another feature of the building will be the use of aquaponics – a combination of farming fish, in this case tilapia, and hydroponically growing vegetables. “The great thing about aquaponics is that it is an almost fully-closed ecosystem,” according to the plant’s website. Consequently, “it requires very little input (just some fish food and some micronutrients) and generates almost no waste.”
The former meatpacking plant is located in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in the Chicago. Planners hope it will create 125 jobs.
More information about the farm, called The Plant, can be found on its FAQ page.
