Key Takeaways
- Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) has announced Clock Tower Farms, a hydroponic growing facility at its Milwaukee headquarters, developed in partnership with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Fork Farms.
- The facility will house 72 Fork Farms Flex Acre hydroponic systems and Rockwell's Plant PAx process control technology, targeting annual production of 200,000 pounds of leafy greens and other produce.
- All food grown will move directly from harvest to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin's distribution network, with no long-term storage, to address rising food pantry demand across the region.
- The facility is designed to save 5.9 million gallons of water annually and conserve 5.5 acres of conventional cropland compared to traditional farming methods.
- Clock Tower Farms is currently under construction and expected to be fully operational later in 2026.
Rockwell Automation Launches Hydroponic Facility to Supply Fresh Produce to Wisconsin Food Pantries
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) has announced the creation of Clock Tower Farms, a first-of-its-kind hydroponic growing facility situated within the company's Milwaukee headquarters. Built in collaboration with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, the state's largest hunger relief organisation, and agritech firm Fork Farms, the facility is currently under construction and is expected to be fully operational later this year. All produce grown on-site will flow directly into Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin's distribution network to address growing food insecurity across the region.
Technology at the Core of the Growing System
Clock Tower Farms will operate 72 Fork Farms Flex Acre hydroponic units, which use nutrient-infused, recirculated water to nourish plant roots and optimise growth. Rockwell's Plant PAx distributed control system will automatically monitor and adjust nutrient levels, pH, and water delivery based on the specific crops being cultivated. New technology developed by Fork Farms adds localised power management, dehumidification, and water and nutrient controls suited to controlled-environment agriculture. The modular design is intended to reduce installation costs and maximise crop yields.
At full capacity, the facility is designed to:
- Produce 200,000 pounds of leafy greens and other crops annually
- Save 5.9 million gallons of water compared to conventional farming
- Conserve 5.5 acres of traditional cropland
Rockwell Automation's Community Impact Vision
Patricia Contreras, Vice President of Community Impact at Rockwell Automation, described the intent behind the initiative:
“Clock Tower Farms demonstrates how industrial automation can solve real-world challenges at scale and meaningfully impact our communities. Working with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Fork Farms allows us to combine our strengths to address hunger and ensure more families have access to fresh, healthy produce year round,” said Patricia Contreras, Vice President, Community Impact at Rockwell Automation.
Addressing Record Demand at Eastern Wisconsin Food Pantries
Rockwell Automation is donating both the facility space and the growing systems to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. The announcement comes as food pantries across Eastern Wisconsin are reporting demand levels not seen in over a decade. Produce will travel directly from the Clock Tower Farms dock to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin's distribution trucks, bypassing long-term storage and minimising handling time.
Patti Dew, Interim President and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, outlined what the facility means for the organisation's work:
“Reliable access to fresh, nutritious food is critical to health and well-being. Clock Tower Farms strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality produce efficiently to pantry partners across our network, expanding access to foods that support long-term health for neighbors throughout Eastern Wisconsin,” said Patti Dew, Interim President and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
The facility is aligned with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin's NourishRx programme, which treats food access as a component of long-term health, prioritising nutrient-dense options that support wellbeing, dignity, and choice across its network of pantry partners.
