Legislation to assist indoor agriculture facilities in Kentucky is moving through the General Assembly. The Senate gave the measure unanimous approval last week. Shelbyville GOP Senator Paul Hornback said the Department of Agriculture and AppHarvest have requested the modifications. Hornback noted a large indoor greenhouse is not the same setting as a traditional factory. He added regulations through the Buildings and Housing Department can vary.
“Give them the ability to waive the sprinkler system, to waive maybe some of the safety entrances or exits they have, according to the number of people they have. But, these facilities are different from our normal manufacturing and processing and those types of places. It’s just a packhouse.”
Hornback said the expanding controlled-environment ag business is meshing well with the rest of Kentucky agriculture. The lawmaker said the indoor greenhouses focus on tomatoes, leafy vegetables, and berries while many traditional farmers are in the field with corn and soybeans.
