US (LA): Ending food deserts with vertical farming

For years, government officials and activists have struggled to find a solution to the state’s food deserts, areas where residents lack access to fresh food.

Researchers at Southern University’s Agricultural Research and Extension Center believe they may have the answer: vertical farming. The researchers are looking at three different methods:

Aeroponics, or growing plants by nourishing their suspended roots with air or mist. No soil is required.
Hydroponics, growing plants using only liquid nutrients in water.
Aquaponics, growing plants and raising fish in one system. The fish waste provides the nutrients for the plants.

“Right now, we’re just setting it up as a pilot. We’re just trying to get some data so we can create a proposal and maybe submit it to the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture),” said Marlin Ford, an assistant professor of sustainable agriculture.

Gathering that data will take at least one season, Ford said. The researchers are using the system to grow lettuce, tomatoes, basil, bell peppers and eggplants inside a greenhouse.

Read more at The New Orleans Advocate