Method, Gotham Greens to Build World’s Largest Rooftop Farm

Eco-friendly cleaning products company Method Products and urban farming company Gotham Greens will partner to build what they say is the world’s largest rooftop farm at Method’s new manufacturing plant in Chicago.

Designed by William McDonough + Partners, Method says it expects its plant will be the world’s first LEED-Platinum certified manufacturing plant in its industry.

Gotham Greens will design, build and operate an agricultural greenhouse facility on the plant’s roof that will produce up to 1 million pounds of sustainably grown, pesticide-free produce annually. The produce will be distributed through local Chicago retailers, restaurants, farmer’s markets and community groups.

Gotham Green’s irrigation methods uses 20 times less land and 10 times less water compared to conventional agriculture. They also eliminate the need for pesticide use and fertilizer runoff, the company says.

Last year Nevada said it would encourage the development of indoor farming in the state, a low-water use sustainable agriculture practice that could help reduce the state’s dependence on unpredictable tourism spending.