America's Largest Indoor Vertical Farm Opens in Chicago

Chicagoans sure take their urban agriculture seriously. While the city focuses on converting vacant land to farms in some of the city's struggling neighborhoods, entrepreneurs are doing the same indoors.

1 minute read

March 24, 2013, 5:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Utilizing a soil-free, aquaponic process, FarmedHere has just opened the largest indoor vertical farm in the United States in "a formerly abandoned suburban Chicago warehouse."

"The facility hopes to produce an anticipated 1 million pounds of chemical-, herbicide- and pesticide-free leafy greens -- including basil, arugula, mints and other greens -- to the Chicago area once it hits full production," says an article in the Huffington Post. "In addition, the facility says by 2014 it will be providing about 200 jobs to the community, many of them via a partnership with Windy City Harvest, a Chicago Botanic Garden-led urban agriculture training program targeted to underserved local youths."

"The Bedford Park facility is FarmedHere's third farm, joining a 10,000-square-foot facility in downstate Flanagan and a 4,000-square-foot one in Englewood. Whole Foods, which sells the company's greens in its Chicago stores, helped finance the new facility with a $100,000 loan, Crain's previously reported."

Friday, March 22, 2013 in Huff Post: Chicago Impact

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square