In a recent government meeting, a local entrepreneur highlighted the transformative potential of controlled environment agriculture in Georgia, emphasizing the need for increased production of leafy greens, particularly romaine lettuce. The speaker, who relocated their business, Better Fresh Farms, to Candler County, shared insights on the benefits of hydroponic farming, which requires significantly less water and eliminates the need for chemical pest management.

The entrepreneur noted that currently, 94% of lettuce consumed in the U.S. is sourced from California and Arizona, leading to high transportation costs and a reliance on imports. With the average price of romaine lettuce rising over 61% since 2016, there is a pressing need for more localized production to provide fresh and cost-effective options for Georgia consumers.

Better Fresh Farms has made significant strides since its inception in 2016, now producing over 1,500 pounds of leafy greens weekly from a compact facility. This efficiency translates to the output equivalent of seven acres of traditional farming on just 0.16 acres, using over 95% less water than conventional methods. The business has also expanded its workforce from three to ten employees and increased its operational capacity from three to eight shipping container farms.

The speaker concluded by underscoring the opportunity for Georgia to enhance its agricultural landscape through innovative farming practices, which could benefit both local farmers and consumers while preserving valuable farmland.