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US (MA): From nuclear weapons components to baby bok choy

A 1.7-acre formerly radioactive site in Indian Orchard Business Park will by early next year contain a greenhouse producing tons of the world's healthiest vegetables and herbs.

Springfield-based economic development project Wellspring Cooperative Corporation and the city Redevelopment Authority are "finishing the paperwork" on a $70,000 purchase and sales agreement, said Wellspring co-director Fred Rose, adding that the parcel — part of a larger, 17-acre property — was assessed at $85,000. The parcel is located on Pinevale Street.

Formerly home to the nuclear weapons component producing Chapman Valve plant, the new tenant's trade will be in baby kale, baby bok choy, lettuce and herbs — by the ton. Pretty much as far in the opposite direction as one could imagine, right?

Rose said by the time crops start coming in early next year, the 12,600-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse will harvest weekly totals of 3,690 heads of lettuce, 310 pounds each of baby kale and baby bok choy and 69 pounds of herbs, including basil, cilantro and more. A total of 250,000 plants per year will be grown in the greenhouse.

The business will take the name Wellspring Harvest.

"We're working to start building [the greenhouse] within the next few weeks," Rose said, adding that construction should take six weeks, weather providing.

He added, "The market for local food is growing like crazy. We're going to be adding to something that already exists and is doing well in the city."

In a second project phase over the next two years, another wing will be added to the greenhouse, to produce tomatoes and cucumbers.

Read more at masslive.com
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