A small vertical farming facility has been approved for a Red Deer County business park. The county's municipal planning commission approved on Tuesday an application by Salad Oasis to set up a hydroponic farming operation in two sea cans in a pair of storage units in Energy Business Park just south of Red Deer.
The primary focus of the new facility will be the year-round cultivation of leafy greens, including lettuce, kale, arigula, spinach and Swiss chard, along with broccoli, radishes and mushrooms. Food grown will go to stores, restaurants and farmers markets and will not be sold at the site.
In its application, Salad Oasis said it will grow vegetables in a pair of climate-controlled shipping containers that have been equipped with hydroponic growing equipment. Growing the food using hydroponics helps maximize production and quality while reducing the amount of water needed or reliance on chemical pesticides.
"Our facility will contribute to the local economy by providing locally grown produce year-round, creating employment opportunities and promoting environmentally friendly agriculture in Red Deer County," says Salad Oasis owner Yaping Q in his application.
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