It is said to be the world's largest vertical farm, using a special LED light

The United States loses at least 1 million 500 thousand acres of arable land every year due to urbanization. In order to make up for the loss of land, AeroFarms company established a vertical farm house, and has begun to plan to build ninth bases in New Jersey, Newark City, New York Manhattan from only one kilometer away. It will become the world's largest vertical farm, 70 thousand square foot facility, which produces about 2 million pounds of food a year, and will save up to $95% of water compared to crops grown on the average field.

Since 2004, AeroFarms has been using the aeroponic method to address the global food safety and environmental crisis. AeroFarms said on the website: "this technology makes the harvest cycle shorter, the results more predictable, there is no food safety issues, the impact on the environment is smaller. "This kind of large farm can produce not only millions of pounds of vegetables and herbs every year, but it is 75% higher than the same area of outdoor farms. AeroFarms uses a crop alternate strategy that refers to the annual alternation of 22 plants.

This advanced agricultural system will not lead to soil erosion, pesticides, excessive water and other issues, but also to reduce carbon emissions, and sometimes even completely avoid carbon emissions.

The system uses a special LED lighting and climate control methods, planting a variety of vegetables, do not need sunlight and soil. This unique light allows AeroFarms to control the size, shape, texture, color, taste and nutrition of leafy greens. AeroFarms said that they used the aerosol cultivation method, the plant root spray (including nutrition, water and oxygen). This gas culture system is a closed loop system, saving 95% of water compared to the conventional outdoor cultivation, saving up to 40% of the culture solution, and does not require pesticides.

After a year of construction of the facility is nearing completion, the company has opened up some of the areas ready to operate.

The channel is filled with a high shelf, you must use the forklift crane can be obtained, the agricultural workers must wear special clothing, gloves, shoes, and a white coat is mandatory clothing disinfection.

"We are building the world's largest vertical farm, and the demand for safe, nutritious food has never been so strong," said AeroFarms. "

Plant scientists monitor more than 30 thousand data points at each facility. This time, the researchers will examine, test, and use predictive analysis to improve the system.

"By remote monitoring and control, we will minimize the typical risks associated with traditional agriculture," AeroFarms explained. "

The company has also developed a patented product - reusable filter media for seeding, germinating, growing and harvesting.

Each cloth medium is made of 24 recycled plastic bottles, which can be cleaned and disinfected after each harvest. The system can also be used as a barrier between spray and plant, so that the company can harvest a clean, dry, easy to eat products.

AeroFarms can grow more than 250 kinds of green leafy plants, their shelf life is longer, and from the seeds to the packaging process is safe and controllable.

The company's goal is not just to make up for the lack of arable land in the United States, but to help deal with global food shortages. The world bank predicts that by 2050 the population will reach 9 billion, an increase of more than 50% food need now, and climate change will also in this time period to reduce 25% of the crop yield, which will cause a serious blow to the world's poorest region.

For more information about LED, please click on LED network or pay attention to WeChat public account (cnledw2013).