NEWS
November 13,2020 - First-of-its-kind farm set to call Babcock Ranch home
| Reporter: | Erika Jackson |
| Writer: | Drew Hill |
Using eco-friendly prairies and technology from Finland, one farm hopes to be the first of its kind in America.
Finn Farms is going to be sustainable, innovative, and clean. “There are no emissions, we are using all organic materials, ” said Finn Farms founder Oskari Kariste.
This new way of farming is the first of its kind in the United States and it’s coming right to Southwest Florida.
“It requires 95% less water than outside farming,” said Kariste. “This two-and-a-half acre facility equals 60 acres of an outdoor farm.”
The greenhouse in Babcock Ranch is about the size of two American football fields. Currently, it’s a building with concrete and dirt, but Kariste believes that the greenhouse will be filled with herbs and greens in just a few weeks.
Plants are expected to grow bigger and more quickly in an indoor, controlled environment. “We are able to expand the area around the plants they grow, which you cannot do outdoors, we are able to control the amount of the water we are giving for the plants,” Kariste said.
Meaning plants won’t be hurt from getting too much or too little sunlight. This also means that the local produce will get to you more quickly.
“Having homegrown, fresh produce, right from Babcock Ranch, it’s something that we wanted to do from the very beginning,” said Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of Kitson and Partners.
By growing local and staying local, they’re benefitting locals. “We want to be a game-changer, we want to build a healthier future,” Kariste said.
Finn Farms plans to plant its first seed in a few weeks and daily harvests are expected to begin by the end of the year.