Sophie Bernstein - Utilizing a 3.25-acre hydroponic food production greenhouse, Green City Growers (GCG) is the largest production greenhouse in an urban area and the largest covered greenhouse in an urban core in the country. They produce millions of heads of lettuce and specialty greens and hundreds of thousands of pounds of herbs in ClevelandContinue reading "Green City Growers: The Largest Production Greenhouse in an Urban Area"
Ag-Bioscience Could Create “Nearly 19,000 Jobs and $3.6 Billion in Revenues”
Some industries that fall into the category of ag-bioscience include crop and livestock production, waste capture, biomaterials production, food processing safety, and biofuels and energy production. Ag-bioscience is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about which industries could contribute most to economic growth. However, this industry creates unrivaled jobs and revenue in comparison to other industry clusters!
Harmful Algal Blooms cost Ohio over $815 million
Since 2010, Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have cost Ohio over $815 million. In addition, they have caused the deaths of Lake Erie pets, wildlife and plants and has caused illness in humans through physical contact or consumption. This cost includes damage and devaluation of lakeshore property, loss of tourism, loss of recreation, and additional municipalContinue reading "Harmful Algal Blooms cost Ohio over $815 million"
CENTER FOR FOOD INNOVATION SEEKS TO DEVELOP FLEXIBLE, PANDEMIC-PROOF FOOD SYSTEM
Author: Gus Jaynes As consumers across the country and around the world quickly found out, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the way the food system operates. In the last year, it has become clear just how much the food supply chain, among others, is being challenged by COVID-related disruptions. At theContinue reading "CENTER FOR FOOD INNOVATION SEEKS TO DEVELOP FLEXIBLE, PANDEMIC-PROOF FOOD SYSTEM"
Container Farms Offer Affordable, Sustainable Solution
Author: Nina Liloia So, you want to be a farmer. How do you get started? Freight Farms, an agricultural technology company headquartered in Boston, MA, has created an easy and affordable option for those interested in food production. The company manufactures vertical, hydroponic farms built into shipping containers. The containers are able to produce hundredsContinue reading "Container Farms Offer Affordable, Sustainable Solution"
New Organization Seeks to Strengthen Food Networks in the Region
The Center for Food Innovation at Oberlin led by Executive Director Bara Watts, seeks to create a more substantial food network within Lorain County and turn Northeast Ohio into the breadbasket of the Midwest.
St. Louis AgTech Cluster
Our last blog post explored how we could create an agricultural cluster in northeast Ohio and why we should develop a self-sufficient food economy in the region. We know that an industry cluster can be defined by a set of firms that can benefit from their physical proximity and shared expertise. But it can sometimesContinue reading "St. Louis AgTech Cluster"
Can Lorain County Be Home to the Next Big Thing in Business?
Northeast Ohio currently produces only 5%-10% of all the food consumed in the region. That means we import up to 95% of our food (about $10.7 billion), despite being one of the top agricultural states. Research has shown* that if the region were to increase production to meet at minimum 25% of local consumption, overContinue reading "Can Lorain County Be Home to the Next Big Thing in Business?"
The Time to Innovate is Now
Crain's Cleveland May, 2020, Author, Bara Watts You may have heard, "Never waste a good disaster." Out of chaos and destruction, opportunity can be born. History has demonstrated over and over again that companies willing to navigate the storm and innovate, versus those that recoil and hunker down, have reaped rewards. Consider this small listContinue reading "The Time to Innovate is Now"
Jobs Ohio Report Highlights Opportunities and Trends In Ohio’s Food Industry
In 2019 Joe Needham, Director of Food and Agribusiness for the State of Ohio published a report that highlighting some of the development and innovation opportunities entrepreneurs should know about. READ REPORT First off, understand that Ohio agribusiness sector contributes $16.4 billion to the state's Gross State Product annually. The combined food and agribusiness contributesContinue reading "Jobs Ohio Report Highlights Opportunities and Trends In Ohio’s Food Industry"