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New: Click Here for Proposed Expansion of Facility 6/09 (2 page diagram and description.pdf)

Underground Plant Growth Facility at Marengo, Indiana

The 21st Century Research & Technology Fund is a state program that encourages innovation by cooperation between business and university researchers. Cary Mitchell, a Purdue professor of horticulture, worked with Controlled Pharming Ventures, LLC to obtain a $2 million grant from the 21st Century Fund to develop an underground plant growth facility in a former limestone mine in southern Indiana. Some of the equipment in Controlled Pharming’s buildings arose from research by Mitchell, working with NASA on growth systems that would allow astronauts to raise crops in space and on the moon and Mars.

Links to Articles about the Facility

• Popular Science article, "Pharming Underground"
• NPR's "Marketplace" radio segment, June 13, 2006
• Organic Consumers Association article "Underground Crops, the Future of Pharming

Pictured below is the entry into the Marengo Warehouse facility located in a former limestone mine and views of the GrowthStar plant-growth facility inside it. Also pictured is corn grown in the facility. The map depicts where the mine has more than 60 acres of underground area for expansion of this facility. Along with consistently cool temperatures and elevated CO2 levels for photosynthesis, the mine is weather-proof. The picture of the destroyed greenhouse is from a tornado that struck a biosafety level 3 USDA research greenhouse. The town of Marengo was struck by a tornado in 2005 resulting in property damage (last image) and--sadly--loss of life. The GrowthStar was competely unharmed by the tornado which struck about 200 yards away. Click on an image to view a larger version. Images will open in a new window.