“Making Every Acre Count” While Empowering The Community
Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Columbus:
Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) is taking the next leap in urban farming through its "smart farm" in the Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. This seven-acre urban farm combines Controlled Environment Agriculture techniques, such as hydroponics and greenhouses, focusing on food security, sustainability, and community education. Led by Farm Director Trevor Horn, the project combines food production with empowering a new generation of farmers to become more resilient towards the growing agricultural challenges.
Located on a former brownfield site, the farm turned to CEA technologies like vertical farming, container growing, and hydroponics to bypass poor soil quality and limited space issues. "Our motto is, 'Make every acre count,'" Trevor explains. Using over 300 vertical towers, the farm can produce thousands of heads of lettuce in a single cycle.
Educational greenhouses and hydroponic systems
MOFC's success lies in using hydroponic systems and greenhouse technologies. High tunnels—polyplastic-wrapped structures provided by the USDA—protect crops from unpredictable weather, while Dutch bucket systems optimize the production of crops like tomatoes, with each bucket yielding 35 to 50 pounds. By integrating hydroponics, the farm circumvents the need for long-term soil regeneration, a process that can take up to 10 years on previously developed land.