Indoor Urban Vertical Farming; The New Agriculture

(NaturalNews) Certain forward-thinking folks are reinventing farming as we know it. Indoor, organic urban farms growing food vertically using hydroponic and aquaponic principles, are sprouting around the country. The push for alternative methods of raising food follow in part, on the heels of local governments outlawing homeowners from growing vegetable gardens in their yards, and forcing people to tear out existing, healthy gardens. Fueling the wheels of change are the county, state and federal government knowingly attempting to destroy the food chain with chemtrails, pesticides, growth hormones and GMOs, as they alter the very molecular nature of our food. These actions move the heart, stimulate rage, hatred and fear, and force humans to change to survive or die. Looking for alternative ways to feed themselves and the community, large and small alternative gardening ventures are popping up everywhere. Smaller ventures such as the Urban Hydro Project in Nashville, Tennessee is the farm-child of Jeffery Orkin; and his efforts are paying off. A cry for community support in late 2012 raised over $3,300 in donations, enough money for Orkin to buy materials to extend his fledgling indoor organic garden on the top floor of a condo building in Nashville. Although the Urban Hydro Project has only 135 square feet of floor space, the room has 12 foot ceilings, and Orkin plans to plant to the ceiling. Beautiful organic vegetables are grown using hydroponics, where no soil is used. Orkin says this is a more efficient method of production, and one that produces higher yields and better tasting organic food year round. While the Urban Hydro Project continues to expand and thrive in Nashville, FarmedHere sprouted up outside of Chicago and claims the honor of being the largest indoor vertical farm in the US. Founded by Jolanta Hardej, it’s located in a huge 90,000 square foot abandoned warehouse in Bedford Park, Illinois. Hardej had the vision as far back as 2008 to grow fresh, organic produce using aquaponic techniques, and no soil. Like Orkin, Hardej says the vegetables are better tasting than when traditionally grown. Plants at FarmedHere are grown in multiple stacked levels and fed by mineral-rich water circulated throughout the system from fish tanks containing hormone-free tilapia fish. FarmedHere is looking to produce over one million pounds of fresh, organic leafy greens, free of chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs. Indoor farming provides sustainable options As more stringent government regulations are put in place controlling individual freedoms, and greater efforts are made to alter the essence of food by corporations like Monsanto, the availability of organic, life-staining foods will diminish. As the air and land are poisoned with chemicals and other noxious elements in an effort to marginalize life, alternative means of growing food will be needed for those who are willing to fight to survive the system. ¬? Indoor gardening projects like these and others around the country produce organic food year round, under perfect temperature, humidity and lighting conditions ¬? Due to the controlled growing environment, indoor farms provide sustainable agriculture for all — the home gardener, local tailgate markets, and large food chains such Whole Foods, Green Grocery, and other large grocery chains demanding organic foods ¬? Growing produce with hydroponics is possible for individual homeowners by setting up a special growing station in their homes, garages or sheds. Some vertical growing equipment is portable and can be moved outside in warmer weather if desired. ¬? Indoor vertical farming has a small footprint, allowing individuals to grow food using aquaponics or hydroponics away from nosy government eyes. Additionally, small or large indoor community gardens are possible in smaller-sized buildings, allowing for groups to form gardens, purchase supplies and share fresh vegetables together.     Sources for this article include: http://www.huffingtonpost.com http://www.kickstarter.com http://www.motherearthnews.com http://www.ugrosystems.com/ http://www.hgtv.com http://www.naturalnews.com/039692_urban_gardening_vertical_farming_aquaponics.html