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Old steel mill will soon be world’s largest vertical farm

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NEWARK, N.J. - An old steel mill in New Jersey will soon be the site of the world’s largest indoor vertical farm.

AeroFarms says their facility in Newark could produce 2 million pounds of food per year and help with farming land loss and long-term food shortages.

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In this Thursday, March 24, 2016 file photograph, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, center at podium, addresses a gathering at AeroFarms, a vertical farming operation in Newark, N.J. AP Photo/Mel Evans,file

The plants are grown using an aeroponic system, artificial light and a climate control environment.

The farm will be open to community members who want to buy the produce. It also plans to sell the food at local grocery stores.

Critics say the artificial lighting in vertical farms takes up a significant amount of energy that in turn creates carbon emissions.

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