Idaho Company Farms Fresh Produce Using Modified Shipping Container

Idaho Company Farms Fresh Produce Using Modified Shipping Container

HAYDEN, Idaho – When it comes to local vegetables, some restaurants like to use the phrase “farm to table.” But what about when that farm is not in a field, but indoors – in a climate controlled shipping container?

To set this story up, let us remind you that the weather outside is cold – really cold, really gross.

Come inside Coeur Greens in Coeur d’Alene and you can see in here they have a standard shipping container. Inside is where things get really cool.

A miniature farm is inside the container. Drew McNabb, the farm manager, said they can grow enough produce in there to fill two acres of conventional farmland. It was 68 degrees inside the container when we checked.

It was a dream that was a long time coming for McNabb.

“I always wanted to be a farmer. Farming in this area, you’d only be busy two months out of the year, and I wanted to be busy 12 months out of the year,” he said.

That is where technology saves the day. The startup, Coeur Greens, purchased a decked out shipping container from a company in Boston.

“These are different nutrient tanks,” he said.

Seeds are planted in small containers and then grown using artificial light.

“Behind me there will be 4,500 mature plants that will receive water coming down from these orifices shooting down,” McNabb said.

They call it vertical farming – the roots of the plants intertwined in a mesh that hangs down. Coeur Greens is about to plant their first batch of lettuce. Other varieties of leafy greens will be on the way.

“Whether it’s arugula, kale, bok choy, Swiss chard,” McNabb said.

He said they will be able to crank out 1,100 heads of greens per week. That is year round too.

Once Coeur Greens is in full swing, they hope to package and sell their veggies to local retailers, restaurants, and school districts.

To learn more about their work, visit their website.

KREM