AeroFarms, a commercial grower for vertical farming and controlled agriculture, and RBH Group are building a state-of-the-art 69,000-square-foot indoor vertical farm and global corporate headquarters in a converted steel factory located in Newark, NJ. Upon completion, it may be the world’s largest indoor vertical farm.

Ultimately AeroFarms will have the capacity to grow up to 2 million pounds per year of baby leafy greens and herbs in an environmentally controlled, safe and sanitary facility. At the AeroFarms groundbreaking were Joe DiVincenzo, Essex County executive; Ras Baraka, Newark mayor; David Rosenberg, CEO of AeroFarms; and New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. The company said it is a model for successful, sustainable farming offering 75 times more productivity per square foot annually than a traditional field farm without using pesticides and consuming 95 percent less water.

“Today’s groundbreaking takes us one step closer to addressing the tremendous demand for our locally grown produce that is setting a new culinary standard for freshness and taste," David Rosenberg, chief executive officer of AeroFarms, said in a July 9 press release. "We are excited to redefine not only the Garden State but also agriculture overall, and our goal is to increase access to healthier options by working with a wide-range of selling partners from retail to foodservice to farmers markets.”

“New Jersey has a long agricultural tradition, and we are not only known for our rich farmland and high-quality product, but also as a leader in new agricultural technologies," New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said in the release. "We welcome AeroFarms indoor vertical farming to the Garden State and have had the chance to see their impressive operation. We look forward to their full-scale production of flavorful and healthy leafy greens year-round.“ 

New Jersey Acting Governor Kim Guadagno said, “Today is another great success for New Jersey’s leading agriculture and food industries. AeroFarms innovative and adaptable agriculture solution marks a new day for the Garden State right in the heart of Newark’s Ironbound district and increases access to fresh produce in this urban region. Additionally, a renovated industrial site and the potential for nearly 80 jobs is great news for this community and is a sign of the continued growth we look forward to in Newark.”

The first phase will open by the end of 2015, creating upon completion approximately 78 jobs in a local community with an unemployment rate that is twice the national average.