The greenhouse facility in Berea, Kentucky is designed to have its water needs met by recycled rainwater
AppHarvest starts building new greenhouse in Kentucky. (Credit: Unsplash/Erwan Hesry.)
AppHarvest is expanding its position in Central Appalachia by building a greenhouse facility in Berea, Kentucky, to grow leafy greens.
When completed, the greenhouse facility will grow non-GMO, chemical pesticide-free leafy greens to be distributed to grocers and restaurants in the country.
Additionally, the greenhouse facility in Berea, Kentucky is also claimed to have been designed to have its water needs met by recycled rainwater.
Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley said: “The city of Berea is thrilled to welcome AppHarvest to our community. Throughout the site selection process, it has become clear to me that Berea is a perfect fit for AppHarvest, and AppHarvest is a perfect fit for our city. We are very glad to be part of a truly revolutionary movement in AgTech.”
Due to the company’s location in Appalachia, AppHarvest claims that it can reach nearly 70% of Americans in a day’s drive, reducing transportation costs by up to 80% compared to existing growers.
According to estimates, a majority of American production is concentrated in Arizona and California, which combine to produce 90% of leafy greens in the country.
The states are also going through decades-long drought and are claimed to consume precious water resources.
But, AppHarvest is is investing in building controlled environment agriculture facilities in Central Appalachia, where there is abundance of rain.
AppHarvest recently opened its flagship farm in nearby
The new facility will expand the company’s footprint in Central Appalachia.
Recently, AppHarvest opened its flagship farm, a 2.76 million ft² facility for growing tomatoes in nearby Morehead, Kentucky and also broke ground for a second facility of similar size in Madison County outside Richmond, Kentucky.
AppHarvest founder and CEO Jonathan Webb said: “With this facility, we will expand beyond vine crops to leafy greens, which face many of the same challenges in today’s broken food systems. Leafy greens are grown almost exclusively in states with little water and then travel thousands of miles to most Americans.
“We’re working to create a more resilient American food system, and water usage is at the heart of the issue.”
In two years, AppHarvest claims to have attracted more than $150m in investment. Last month, the firm entered into an agreement for a business combination with Novus Capital, a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company.