[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1606-E1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING FARMEDHERE FOR BEING NAMED A TOP 10 ``UP-AND-COMER'' FOR 
               THE 12TH ANNUAL CHICAGO INNOVATION AWARDS

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 30, 2013

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize FarmedHere, a 
revolutionary vertical farming facility in Bedford Park, IL for being 
named a Top 10 ``Up-and-Comer'' for the 12th Annual Chicago Innovation 
Awards.
  In March 2013, FarmedHere opened the world's largest indoor vertical 
farming operation. At a repurposed warehouse, FarmedHere uses cutting-
edge technological advances in aquaponics and aeroponics to supply 
Chicagoland residents and restaurants with chemical-, herbicide- and 
pesticide-free herbs, vegetables, and fish. As FarmedHere's operation 
continues to expand and become more efficient, they are proving that 
sustainable urban farming is a viable option for Chicagoans.

[[Page E1607]]

  In providing locally sourced food throughout Chicago, FarmedHere 
exemplifies environmentally responsible business practices. Instead of 
expanding horizontally over hundreds of acres, FarmedHere's fields are 
stacked on top of each other. This vertical growing technology coupled 
with local distribution reduces energy use, travel time, and costs. 
FarmedHere extends its green-thinking to its paper packaging, which 
uses 90 percent less plastic than traditional supermarket boxes. 
Recently, FarmedHere, in partnership with The Resource Center, a non-
profit environmental education organization, established a program that 
allows FarmedHere to convert all of its organic waste into compost. 
This compost is then used at other urban farms throughout the Chicago 
area, helping these farms continue to grow and thrive.
  In addition to providing residents with local and environmentally-
friendly products, FarmedHere positively affects the Chicago community. 
FarmedHere provides life changing opportunities for non-violent ex-
offenders by hiring and training them to work in their vertical farm. 
FarmedHere also aims to expand its operations and bring 200 new jobs to 
the Chicago community by 2014, which will help bolster the local 
economy.
  I was pleased to hear that all of this great work has resulted in 
FarmedHere's recognition by the Chicago Innovation Awards. Each year 
the Chicago Innovation Awards recognize the most innovative new 
products and services in the region across all industries and sectors. 
By honoring Chicagoland's most creative, the Awards strengthen the 
region's economic future and spread the spirit of innovation. Chosen 
from a record-breaking pool of 562 applicants, FarmedHere was named one 
of ten ``Up-and-Comer'' award winners this year. The ``Up-and-Comer'' 
award recognizes Chicago's premier start-up organizations and provides 
these organizations with connections to capital, mentors, and business 
resources. FarmedHere's prizes include an invitation to ring the NASDAQ 
Bell in New York City, advertising exposure with the Chicago Transit 
Authority, invitations to attend meetings with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and 
Governor Pat Quinn, and a profile in Crain's Chicago Business. As the 
greatest source of new jobs for the U.S. economy, start-ups like 
FarmedHere deserve this praise and support.
  FarmedHere and vertical farms alike are beneficial for the economy 
and the environment, and I am proud that this one-of-a-kind facility is 
located in the 3rd District of Illinois. Today, I ask my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating the entire FarmedHere family on their recent 
honor and to wish them many years of continued success.

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