by WHAM

November 16th 2023

Rochester, N.Y. — It's a farm like you've never seen before.

Wednesday, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello unveiled a new hydroponic farm at the Volunteers of America on Lake Avenue.

The new agriculture program is being called "The Farm," which is absent of soil and uses water-based nutrient solution at the base of the plants. The crops and herbs are potted and grown inside of repurposed freight containers.

"Inside these containers is a farm that can grown between 4 and 8 tons of fresh produce every year," Bello said Wednesday.

The farming units can produce nearly 2,000 units of produce in just one week, which Volunteers of America says can help feed more than 2,500 individuals.

In the 2021 Racial and Structural Equity Commission Report, affordability and lack of access to fresh produce was deemed a factor of health disparities with Black and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in Rochester and Monroe County. The report also mentions that residents living with obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure frequently reference food access and cost as major challenges.

"Our primary mission with the farm is to combat food insecurity by providing fresh produce to families and individuals," said Dr. Junior Dillon, president and CEO of Volunteers of America. "Produce grown at the farms will be used at meals that we serve at our programs including our emergency shelters for families, and our children's center."

"The Farm" was all made possible through a $1.2 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The project was selected as part of Bring Monroe Back, Monroe County’s recovery plan that allocates federal funds received through the ARPA to transformative community projects and initiatives.

Lead photo: The new hydroponic farm at the Volunteers of America will be able to produce nearly 2,000 units of produce in just one week. (Photo by Paul Giovine/WHAM, Nov. 15, 2023)