The public was invited to view Cranbrook’s new Urban Farm this week prior to its six month shut down for thorough cleaning. This project was the initiative Cranbrook’s Community Connections, a social enterprise to improve local food security and demonstrate the value of a circular economy where the environment and climate are priority. Waste is reduced to a minimum. As many cost saving measures are implemented as possible and product and profit go back into the local economy. It became a fully operational unit in January of 2025.

The T shaped sea can shipping containers are deceiving from their exterior appearance. The interior hydroponic farm produces up to 600 units of lettuce and kale each week. This produce is both sold to the public and supports several community organizations’ food services.

The whole unit is run by one person, currently a university summer student. Edison welcomed us and once doors of the hub were closed, explained the different methods used to prevent unwanted pathogens and insects from entering the growing area. Strong fans blow down from the ceiling to clean us off and yellow sticky strips are used to capture and indicate what if any bugs are in the air. Persons entering must where hair nets, white lab coats and either clean shoes or shoe covers.

The ‘hub’ as it is called, the T part of the sea can set up contains a very large water container, cleaning facilities, storage for nutrients, necessary pH water adjustment materials. plus a very large refrigerator for harvested product. Water pH needs to be adjusted for optimum plant growth as this area produces water that is slightly more alkaline than required.

Inside the growing area, water, containing the perfect mix of nutrients is circulated beneath the growing trays to provide roots the food they need to feed the plants. Seedlings are started in rock wool cubes and after approximately ten days are moved to their special pockets in the grow trays where the plants will mature and be harvested after five to six weeks.

The current six month cleaning is scheduled to thoroughly sanitize all equipment and natural algae growth which forms on the underside of growing trays.

The custom lighting for the unit is turned off during peak hours as a money saving measure as the enclosed unit can be lit at night. The custom spectrum lighting also provides a pink hue to the following photos.

Cranbrook Community Connections is hoping to expand this farm in the future and in the snowy winter months their local produce will be very welcome as well as a providing valuable complimentary service to our local, outdoor, summer producing urban farmers.

Should the farm have an open house, prior to the next shut down I would highly recommend a visit.