A startup that began inside Union-Endicott's Tiger Ventures is ready to move to new locations while it expands its production 100-fold.
AgZeit is a year-round organic indoor farm that got its start 2 years ago inside the former Linnaeus W West School in West Corners.
G.M. Jim Dutcher says, "We grow the equivalent of 5 seasonal acres. Because we grow indoors, we grow very rapidly from seed to first harvest in 30 days and we get subsequent harvests thereafter. We produce the equivalent of somewhere between 20,000 and 25,000 pounds of food per year."
AgZeit has been using students from Tiger Ventures, UE's alternative innovation school, as interns to assist with harvesting and conducting soil testing.
The kids also do market research, help with sales and conduct experiments.
The operation grows a combination of leafy greens, such as spring mix and kale, along with herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary and chives.