US: Indoor farming may get a boost from locavore movement
Earlier in December, Central Lakes College in Brainerd hosted a series of workshops and panel discussions focusing on hydro- and aquaponics growing, evolving practices gathering steam on a global scale.
"Because of the climate we have here, it's pretty difficult to supply fruits and vegetables in the winter, and one of the best ways to do that locally is inside," said Jeff Dirks, a Central Lakes faculty member in horticulture. "Between greenhouses and indoor buildings, I think there's going to be a really high demand for it."
Dirks, who led tours of the college's greenhouses, said the greenhouse production program has gradually shifted its focus from the more traditional cut flowers and potted plants to experimenting with hydroponics and aquaponics food production techniques. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using water and nutrients to support growth. Aquaponics is a form of hydroponics that incorporates aquaculture, or the farming of fish.
"We do think there is just this huge demand for locally grown healthy food," Dirks said. "Of course, with that demand then comes a need for more people to be able to grow it, and with the demand for more people to grow it comes the need to train them."
Read the full report on TwinCities.com