Auburn University’s new vertical farms growing first lettuce crop

Auburn University in Alabama this spring added two shipping containers outfitted for use as vertical farms, and now, those gardens are generating their first crop of lettuce. 

The hydroponic farms are part of a partnership between university’s dining program and its college of agriculture, and are located in Auburn’s new Transformation Garden, a 16-acre space aimed to focus on plant-based farming as well as to highlight the history of agriculture and new technology. 

Produce grown in the vertical farms will eventually be served to student diners.

“We're in the process of finishing a $26 million dining hall in the center of campus,” Director of Dining and Concessions Glenn Loughridge said in a statement. “It has always been foremost in my mind that we would have the opportunity to feature produce grown here on campus in that dining hall. In our biggest location, our biggest asset, we want to bring our A-game.”

The partnership between the school’s dining team and agricultural college began five years ago with the Auburn Aquaponics Project, an initiative through which fish raised in aquaponic systems at Auburn are later served at campus eateries.