Lincolnshire - already the nation's breadbasket - has taken farming into the future with a glasshouse like no other. The University of Lincoln has officially opened its £2.4 million Glasshouse Research & Development Facility at Riseholme Park.
Unlike traditional growing spaces, the entire site is powered by geothermal energy drawn from deep underground, creating cheap, stable heat all year round. That means crops normally flown in from overseas - from tomatoes and strawberries in the depths of winter to a trial vineyard - are now being grown right here in the county.
Professor Simon Pearson, Founding Director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology (LIAT), says the project is about more than just science: "We need to support growers with solutions that cut energy costs and carbon emissions. This is about boosting local economies, building skills and strengthening food security."
The new glasshouse sits at the heart of Greater Lincolnshire's food industry, which already produces one eighth of England's food and supports 75,000 jobs. Experts believe proving that geothermal works at scale could unlock investment, create new high-quality jobs and cut reliance on imported produce.
Read more at Rayo
