FarmedHere - the largest vertical farm in the US - becomes a Zero Organic Waste facility.

CHICAGO, Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- FarmedHere, the Chicagoland based vertical farm, in partnership with The Resource Center, a non-profit environmental education organization, established a program allowing FarmedHere to convert all of its organic waste into compost. The compost is then used to feed other urban farms across Chicago.

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Compost is being used in landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture.  Being rich in nutrients, compost is a key component in organic farming. Farmers use it as a fertilizer, soil amendment, and as a natural pesticide.

"I'm happy to work with a farm with a similar vision: local, healthy & organic. Composting the organic waste we receive from FarmedHere provides nutrients for our very own City Farm", says Ken Dunn from The Resource Center.

The Resource Center, established in 1973, is a non-profit environmental education organization founded and directed by Ken Dunn. The Center was created to provide much needed services and programs throughout the city of Chicago, including urban gardening, recycling, composting, and hazardous waste disposal.

City Farm, the oldest urban farm in Chicago, is a mobile endeavor and an initiative of the Resource Center. It sits on about one acre of land on the intersection of Division and Clybourn. The farm provides organically grown produce to some of Chicago's most well-known restaurants as well as city residents.

Through a unique soil-free process that utilizes vertical farming technology, FarmedHere grows USDA certified organic greens that are healthier, tastier, and fresher than traditionally farmed produce. Stacked grow beds (up to six high) are used to create vertical growing space. Instead of soil, water from tanks of hormone-free tilapia delivers nutrients to the plants through either an aquaponic or aeroponic system. These systems are combined with controlled water pressure, humidity and atmospheric pressure to create optimal growing conditions.

FarmedHere has been selling its locally grown produce to Chicago grocery stores and restaurants since 2011. FarmedHere line of products includes different types of basil, mint, baby arugula, petite green salad mixes, and tomatoes.

"We have been searching for an optimal solution to our organic waste since the inception of our new farm in 2012. Ken Dunn and his Resource Center is a perfect fit. They provide a superior service, pick up our waste and turn it into compost, which feeds other farms in the city. It is a 'closed loop' arrangement, just like the reuse of water in FarmedHere aquaponic grow systems," says Jolanta Hardej, the CEO and co-founder of FarmedHere.

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About FarmedHere™

FarmedHere is the first vertical urban farming company that introduced locally grown greens to grocery buyers, retailers and restaurants across Chicago. Since 2011 our indoor aquaponic and aeroponic growing systems create wholesome produce and local jobs in a sustainable farming environment. Our vertical growing technology and local distribution methods tremendously reduce energy use, travel time and costs, making this model one of the most sustainable ways to guarantee access to fresh, healthy, locally grown produce in city centers, in any season. For more information go to FarmedHere.com

Media Contact: Jolanta Hardej, FarmedHere, LLC, 8478468610, [email protected]

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SOURCE FarmedHere LLC