Creating healthier communities through hydroponic farming

Fresh produce grows in PVC pipe at the Hartford hydroponic farm.
Fresh produce grows in PVC pipe at the Hartford hydroponic farm.

Photos by Jenna Outcalt / University of Connecticut

Related Topics:
Agriculture, Food

When people imagine a farm, they might not picture it in the heart of a city, next to an auto shop and a car wash. But that’s exactly where you can find hundreds of fresh fruits and vegetables in Hartford, Conn., bursting from rows and rows of PVC pipe instead of soil.

Food insecurity can run rampant in cities, where there is less access to fresh food and less land available to cultivate it. However, one Connecticut non-profit is reimagining how people can access healthy food at a better price. 

Levo International is using hydroponic farming to create healthier communities, better education, and leaders for the future. Crops grow from simple pipes filled with nutrient-rich water, using minimal space and energy. Christian Heiden, the founder of Levo International, talks about the organization and how it’s changing the landscape of the city. 

Listen to the full interview to learn more.

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