One of the most well-known agriculture technology companies in Kentucky is reaping its first harvest. Beefsteak tomatoes out of the AppHarvest high tech indoor farm in Morehead are being shipped out to grocers.
The tomato seeds were planted in November. AppHarvest Founder Jonathan Webb. “Our seeds are naturally bred, not genetically modified and we’re able to optimize for flavor and nutrient, whereas right now most of the produce coming out of Mexico and California, those seeds are bred for transportation, so you don’t get quite the nutrient density you would get with our tomatoes,” said Webb.
Two similar operations are being constructed in Madison County to increase distribution of tomatoes grown with recycled water and no pesticides. Those two ag-tech indoor farms are expected to be online next year. Incoming AppHarvest President David Lee said there will be an ongoing focus on growing the ag-tech company. “We’ve got to scale up. And that means investment from important long-term investors. It means supply chain sophistication. It means looking eventually globally to serve a global problem. But today, we’re focused on Appalachia. We’re focused on Morehead. We’re focused on our first farm,” noted Lee.
AppHarvest Board Member Martha Stewart sees the large growing operations as a way to spur on an economic resurgence in Appalachia. ?
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