There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Vertical Farm at Illinois State University on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 3 PM.
The Vertical Farm at Illinois State University will use a repurposed 40 ft. by 8 ft. (320 sq. ft.) shipping container to grow plants, such as basil, cilantro, and parsley, year-round in an enclosed, controlled environment. The Farm uses a vertical hydroponic growing system, which includes recirculated nutrient solution and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting to grow 4,600 plants at full operation. This is the equivalent of 1-2 acres of field production but requires 95% less water at 5 gallons per day.
Students will use the site to train for careers in agriculture and horticulture specialty crop production. It also will serve as a demonstration site for other departments across campus, as well as local community groups, schools and businesses.
The project originally grew from a 2020 Innovation Consulting Community proposal and is a collaborative effort of the College of Applied Science and Technology, the Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Sustainability.
Source: Illinois State University