Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Sustainable Agriculture

The Transfarmation Project® Launches North Carolina Demonstration Hub

The Transfarmation Project® launched a demonstration hub in Wadesboro, North Carolina, on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
Image provided by The Transfarmation Project®.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Transfarmation Project® launched a demonstration hub in Wadesboro, North Carolina, on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
  • A former poultry barn has been transformed into a 15,000-square-foot greenhouse for vegetable farming.
  • The facility promotes the transition from poultry farming to specialty-crop production.
  • The hub will function as a research center, visitor space, and showcase for sustainable farming.

North Carolina Demonstration Hub Launched

The Transfarmation Project® launched its North Carolina demonstration hub on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Located at 509 Concord Church Road in Wadesboro, the facility, previously used for poultry farming to raise approximately 540,000 chickens annually, has been transformed into a 15,000-square-foot greenhouse for vegetable farming.

Tom and Sokchea Lim, the property owners, collaborated with the Transfarmation™ team to carry out the transformation. The hub now operates as a vegetable farm and research center, aimed at exploring sustainable alternatives to traditional poultry farming.

Environmental Aspects of the Transition

The Transfarmation Project® has outlined several potential environmental impacts of transitioning from poultry farming to specialty-crop production, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, soil health improvement, and water conservation. Specialty-crop farming is reported to generate fewer greenhouse gases compared to poultry farming, and farm transitions offer opportunities to enhance soil health and optimize water use.

Tom Lim, the former poultry farmer who owns the property, commented, “This transformation is more than a new beginning for our farm; it is also a source of hope for a better, more sustainable future.”

Hub Functions

The North Carolina hub serves as a research center for sustainable agricultural practices, as well as a visitor space for those interested in exploring alternatives to poultry farming. The site also showcases opportunities for farmers transitioning to specialty crops and will host public events focused on farm transitions.

Tyler Whitley, director of Transfarmation™ at Mercy For Animals, noted the significance of the Lims’ transition: “Tom and Sokchea’s transition from raising more than 540,000 chickens annually to operating a vegetable farm full of tomatoes, lettuce, berries, and mushrooms is a testament to what can be achieved.”

Upcoming Book Release

The launch of the demonstration hub precedes the release of Transfarmation: The Movement to Free Us from Factory Farming, a new book by Transfarmation™ founder Leah Garcés. The book is scheduled for release on Sept. 17, 2024.

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