As Exeter’s mammoth, 25-acre greenhouse project appears back on track after a battle over local oversight, a similar-size model of the future of agriculture, planned beside the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston campus, is also moving forward, the developer says, though slower than planned.
Both projects would be examples of large-scale “controlled environment agriculture,” which proponents say will one day help New England – now dependent on water-starved Western states for most of its food – ensure a local supply of fresh vegetables grown year-round under glass.
“It’s definitely moving forward,” said Michael Hallock, head of Rhode Island Mushroom Co., and Rhode Island Ag Technologies, which has partnered with Boston-based American Ag Energy to build the 20-plus acre Kingston greenhouse. “Delays abound, but we’re excited and expect it to be an amazing project.”
“We’re hoping to have site work begin in the next eight to 12 months,” Hallock said.
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