The farm that runs without sun, soil or water

By Sophie Morlin-Yron, for CNN

Updated 0107 GMT (0907 HKT) September 6, 2016

A massive indoor vertical farm is about to open in the US and it grows baby leaves and herbs using a method which requires no sunlight or soil and next to no water.<br />
Photos: Farming without sun, soil or water
A massive indoor vertical farm is about to open in the US and it grows baby leaves and herbs using a method which requires no sunlight or soil and next to no water.
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Run by urban farming company AeroFarms, the 69,000-square-foot farm will produce leafy greens and herbs grown without any pesticides or herbicides for the local community. <br />
Photos: Farming without sun, soil or water
Run by urban farming company AeroFarms, the 69,000-square-foot farm will produce leafy greens and herbs grown without any pesticides or herbicides for the local community.
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Light, air, humidity and temperature inside the farm are all tightly controlled and the method makes it possible to achieve between 22 and 30 yields a year, compared to two or three at a conventional outdoor farm.<br />
Photos: Farming without sun, soil or water
Light, air, humidity and temperature inside the farm are all tightly controlled and the method makes it possible to achieve between 22 and 30 yields a year, compared to two or three at a conventional outdoor farm.
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Built in a converted steel mill in Newark, New Jersey, it is the largest indoor vertical farm in terms of production capacity, which is estimated at 2 million pounds of greens a year, according to the company. This rendering shows what the facilities will look like when fully operational.
Photos: Farming without sun, soil or water
Built in a converted steel mill in Newark, New Jersey, it is the largest indoor vertical farm in terms of production capacity, which is estimated at 2 million pounds of greens a year, according to the company. This rendering shows what the facilities will look like when fully operational.
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AeroFarms hopes to transform how food is produced with an approach to farming which involves gathering vast amounts of data to create algorithms to help them optimize the growing method for each variety.
Photos: Farming without sun, soil or water
AeroFarms hopes to transform how food is produced with an approach to farming which involves gathering vast amounts of data to create algorithms to help them optimize the growing method for each variety.
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So far AeroFarms have grown over 250 varieties of leafy greens and herbs including arugula, watercress, basil and romaine lettuce, pictured.
Photos: Farming without sun, soil or water
So far AeroFarms have grown over 250 varieties of leafy greens and herbs including arugula, watercress, basil and romaine lettuce, pictured.
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Urban farming for local markets is part of the philosophy, and the company says they will only sell their greens to restaurants, shops and markets nearby.
Photos: Farming without sun, soil or water
Urban farming for local markets is part of the philosophy, and the company says they will only sell their greens to restaurants, shops and markets nearby.
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The leaves cost about 20% more than other greens, which is about the same premium as organic produce. <br />
Photos: Farming without sun, soil or water
The leaves cost about 20% more than other greens, which is about the same premium as organic produce.
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aerofarms led bright purple resizedaerofarms close upaerofarms led sharprendering aerofarmsaerofarms farmer taking dataaerofarms romaine lettuceaerofarms baby spring mixRomaine

Story highlights

  • AeroFarms grow crops without soil, sunlight and nearly no water
  • Upcoming site will produce 2 million pounds of leafy greens a year

(CNN)What do you get if you cross a tech entrepreneur with a farmer?

The world's largest, and possibly most sophisticated indoor farm -- where greens grow without sun, soil or water.
    Well, almost no water. AeroFarms, the company behind the venture, say they will use 95% less water than a conventional outdoor farm.
      Set to open in September in Newark, New Jersey, the 69,000-square-foot farm will be hosted in a converted steel factory. It combines a technique called "aeroponics" - like hydroponics, but with air instead of water - with rigorous data collection, which will help these modern farmers figure out optimal conditions for growth.
      The goal? To produce tall, handsome, tasty baby greens and herbs such as kale, watercress and basil.
      Read More

      Fighting a looming food crisis

      This will be the largest farm of its kind in the world in terms of production capacity: 2 million pounds of greens a year, according to Aerofarms founder David Rosenberg.
      But the company's ambitions go beyond selling vast amounts of veg. They also hope to provide an answer to a looming food crisis.
      The world's population will hit 8.5 billion by 2030, according to UN estimates, meaning many more mouths to feed.
      Can a whole country run on renewable energy?
      Can a whole country run on renewable energy?
      Most people now live in cities, with 54% of the world's population already living in urban areas.
      Rosenberg says innovation is urgently needed to feed everyone, and urban farming might be part of the solution.
      "We are building this company to be wildly impactful. Not just to build a few farms, but to change the world."

      How it works

      Inside the farm, there are no natural seasons, nights or days. Light, air humidity and temperature are all tightly controlled.
      As soon as one harvest is in, another begins -- each plant is expected to yield between 22 and 30 harvests a year.