John Edel stands next to a raft system for plants in the growing room of his aquaponic farm in an old meat-packing plant in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago. Phot by Alex Garcia/ Chicago Tribune.

“One of the things I always wanted to do was grow plants inside industrial buildings since I was kid.”

Melissa Harris
Chicago Confidential
April 10, 2011

Excerpt:

John Edel is turning a former meatpacking plant on the edge of Chicago’s old Union Stockyards into an indoor farm.

In the basement, microorganisms are eating tilapia waste, converting it into fertilizer for the lettuce, kale and wheatgrass growing in a shallow pool of water nearby.

This process is called aquaponic farming. It minimizes water use while allowing year-round harvests, and it’s just the beginning of Edel’s vision for a futuristic, urban farm he has called “The Plant.”

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A farm can be made at any urban location ranging from a studio apartment to a suburban home

By Joop de Boer
The Pop-Up City
April 9, 2011

Excerpt:

Urban farming is hotter than hot. Therefore it is not a surprise that the first DIY urban farming/gardening store in New York City is a huge succes. City Hydroponic is a full service shop that offers a complete range of gardening products for indoor as well as outdoor gardeners and farmers. The shop has all what it takes to grow fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs in the Big Apple.

Whether you want innovative aeroponics or hydroponics growing kits, hi-tech gardening equipment for intricate green roofing systems and indoor grow room to a plain old fashion dirt and guano for a modest apartment window box, the store carries a wide variety of the leading brands in grow lights, reflectors and plant nutrients.

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