The Salad Days Hydroponic Farm in Flora, Mississippi, had its groundbreaking for the $8.5 million expansion of the facility. The farm was started 11 years ago by husband-and-wife Leigh Bailey and Jamie Redmond. Starting this farm was a new experience for Bailey and Redmond.
"A lot of folks thought we were crazy when we said we were going to leave our 30-plus-year careers as real estate brokers and start growing hydroponic lettuce," said Bailey. This new-and-improved facility adds a complimentary 65,000 square feet to the farm's current 21,000 square feet. The greenhouse will also employ a minimum of 20 people.
With this expansion, Salad Days' production can increase eight times over the current levels. Alan Lange, the lead investor and operating partner for Salad Days, said that the current facility is about 21,000 square feet, but all of the lettuce channels are fixed. In the new facility, that aspect will grow significantly.
Read more at WLBT.