At Florida Tech, fresh produce is growing just a few feet away from where students eat. Two Babylon Micro-Farms in the Panther Dining Hall lobby are growing lettuces, herbs, basil, and microgreens that Campus Dining uses in salads, soups, sauces, garnishes, and catering. Some crops are ready to harvest in as little as two weeks.
The micro-farms also give chefs a flexible source of fresh ingredients. When Campus Dining needed more kale for a recipe and a supplier couldn’t provide enough, the team harvested an entire row from the farm to fill the gap.
Beyond the kitchen, Florida Tech sees the farms as an opportunity for education and research. The university is exploring ways to bring more students into the program through hydroponics, engineering, environmental science, and culinary projects.
And because the systems recirculate water, the farms use up to 96% less water than traditional farming while eliminating the need for traditional pesticides.
Read the full story in Florida Tech’s student newspaper
Interested in bringing fresh, hyper-local growing into your campus or community? Book a demo with Babylon Micro-Farms today!