The Vertical Farm at Illinois State University officially opened on Thursday, May 1, 2025, to train and prepare students for careers in agriculture and horticulture specialty crop production and as a demonstration site for local community groups, schools, and business entrepreneurs. The $200,000 project is a joint partnership of The College of Applied Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture, and Office of Sustainability and is located adjacent to the Office of Sustainability at 305 North School Street, Normal, Illinois.
“This project is about more than just growing food,” said Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule. “It’s about harnessing the power of technology to reduce our dependence on traditional, resource-demanding agricultural methods. Vertical farming technology can be used to address some of the biggest challenges we face, including food security, environmental responsibility, and sustainability.”
The Vertical Farm uses a repurposed shipping container with an enclosed, controlled environment for growing plants year-round. The 40-foot-by-8-foot (320 square feet) container is designed using a vertical hydroponic growing system with a recirculating nutrient solution and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system. The Vertical Farm unit will be able to grow 4,600 plants, production equivalent to 1-2 acres of field production, using 95% less water or approximately 5 gallons of water per day.
“In addition, fewer chemicals are necessary to ensure the vitality of the plants and no pesticides are needed in the controlled space,” said College of Applied Science and Technology Dean Chad McEvoy. “Our students and community will benefit from this new facility as an example of sustainable urban agriculture.”