A clean tech startup is launching a vertical farm on vacant city-owned land in Phoenix.
Homer Farms will pay Phoenix $20,400 annually to lease a one-acre site on land adjacent to the Phoenix Fire Department command training center at 7717 N. 27th Ave.
The company uses indoor hydroponic technologies to grow various types of lettuce and herbs. Homer Farms says it uses 95% less water than field farming and no herbicides, pesticides or fungicides.
“The energy for the project will be from several solar panels placed across the site with excess energy sold back to SRP," said Councilwoman Betty Guardado, who represents District 5, where the farm will be located.
As part of the deal approved by the City Council, Homer Farms will donate 20% of the produce it grows to the community.
“The Office of Environmental Programs, SRP and ASU desire to replicate similar projects in other food desert areas in the city and we are excited to see this succeed and set an example for future opportunities throughout the city,” Guardado said.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at a later date.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated after the ribbon-cutting ceremony was postponed by SRP.
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