Thursday, March 9, 2017

Local Roots Shows Off Mobile, Indoor Farming Technology

Los Angeles-based Local Roots Farms, a startup located at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), says it is showing off a traveling, indoor farm at SXSW, which showcases its hydroponic technology. Local Roots said its farm is built inside a 40 foot shipping container, which is designed to grow leafy greens equal to five acres of land, with up to 99 percent less water than conventional agriculture, and without the use of pesticides and herbicides. Local Roots says it is developing technology for its "TerraFarms" to help encourage high quality, locally-grown produce. The startup is led by founder and CEO Eric Ellestad. The startup said it will be using its mobile farm as an educational tool, to inspire consumers about agriculture science and technology. Local Roots Farms did not address how much energy its mobile traveling farm uses: hydroponic systems typically have very high energy costs due to their use of pumps, lighting systems, and air conditioning and control.

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