Monroe County Uses Federal Aid to Bolster Hydroponic Farm Program

Nov 27, 2023

By Randy Gorbman

A program in Rochester that uses a hydroponic farm to bring fresh produce to various parts of the city and the county recently got a big boost.

It’s called “The Farm,” and that program, run by Volunteers of America Upstate New York, is located on Lake Avenue in the northwest quadrant of the city. The operation now includes two large freight containers outfitted with hydroponic growing systems that can be in use year-round.

Last week Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced that more than $1.2 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds was being allocated to help expand that program. He said the expansion will help combat food insecurity by growing fresh produce for distribution to disadvantaged populations throughout the county.

“No family or child in our community, should go home hungry,” said Bello.

Junior Dillion is the President & CEO of Volunteers of America Upstate New York, and he said the produce grown in the freight containers on Lake Ave. provide a crucial need in the city.

“This is a very impoverished and economically challenged section of the city… some will consider it a food desert, there's only one small grocery store available here,” said Dillion, who added that, “We know that transportation is a huge issue here in the city as well, only one in four residents having transportation.”

It’s estimated the expanded hydroponic growing operation can produce 4 to 8 tons of fresh food each year.

Dillion said the program will also help with vocational and other opportunities for veterans.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.