BOSTON, Dec. 1, 2010 — Converted Organics Inc., announced today that TerraSphere Systems, LLC, signed a term sheet with GoLocalProduceRI, LLC to construct a TerraSphere facility in the state of Rhode Island. Under the agreement, GoLocalProduceRI, LLC will own a license to utilize TerraSphere's advanced vertical farming technology, with exclusive rights to the territory of Rhode Island, to grow fresh produce for local communities.
Erin Carroll, Spokesperson for GoLocalProduceRI, LLC comments, "With a very short local growing season, most of the food we consume is picked days, weeks and, in some cases, months prior to being trucked several thousand miles from California or south of our border. Across America, vertical, urban farming is being discussed as a way to eliminate the cost and aging of produce at local markets, and an investment of this magnitude puts Rhode Island at the forefront of this important industry." Carroll continues, "After an exhaustive review of vertical farming equipment and support, GoLocalProduceRI has determined that TerraSphere offers the best system available."
TerraSphere designs, builds and operates highly efficient and scalable growing systems, featuring a patented, proprietary technology that utilizes vertically-stacked modules to house rows of plants, which are then placed perpendicular to an interior light source to grow pesticide-free organic fruits and vegetables. Due to a controlled, indoor environment, the system generates fresh produce year-round in any location or climate world-wide.
Vertical farming provides a valuable urban agricultural model that allows locally grown, fresh, pesticide-free produce to be cultivated closer to population centers, resulting in lower supply chain costs, as well as reduced carbon emissions and fuel costs associated with traditional production and distribution methods. These controlled growing environments protect crops from weather-related problems, eliminate the need for synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, reduce nitrate run-off and help preserve natural resources through a reduction in the need for additional farmland.
Source: Converted Organics Inc.
