Produce Now pitches modular hydroponic farms as federal agriculture priorities shift

Produce Now is touting its climate-controlled hydroponic farms as a ready-to-scale fit for a new federal push on regenerative agriculture, precision farming and faster approval of ag innovation. The Tulsa company is seeking partners and funding support to expand locally grown produce access near schools, grocers, healthcare sites and underserved communities.

Why it matters: - The new federal focus on regenerative agriculture and precision farming could open more doors for controlled-environment growers. - Produce Now is positioning its modular farms as infrastructure that can improve food resilience, reduce water use and shorten supply chains. - The company says communities could get fresher produce with less dependence on long-distance transportation.

What happened: - President Trump signed a June 25 executive order directing federal agencies to expand regenerative agriculture, accelerate precision agriculture technologies and streamline approval of new agricultural innovations. - Produce Now, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, responded by promoting its HydroClean modular hydroponic farms as a fit for the federal agenda. - Founder Shane Illingworth said the company was created to solve a real problem: communities need clean, dependable, locally grown food.

The details: - Produce Now’s climate-controlled modular farms are designed to grow premium leafy greens and vegetables year-round. - The company says the systems use significantly less water than conventional field production. - The farms grow without pesticides, according to the company. - Produce Now says the model reduces reliance on long-distance transportation by placing production closer to homes, schools, grocers, healthcare facilities, institutions and underserved communities. - The company is seeking experienced grant-writing partners, USDA funding consultants and agricultural innovation advisors. - Produce Now wants help pursuing competitive funding tied to controlled-environment agriculture, local and regional food systems, rural development, food access, conservation, public-private partnerships and agricultural infrastructure. - The company says grant professionals, funding consultants, agricultural organizations, economic-development leaders and media representatives can contact Produce Now directly. - Community leaders, farmers and local nonprofit organizations are also being asked to reach out about using federally funded regenerative agriculture programs to bring modular farms to their cities and towns. - Produce Now’s contact email is info@producenow.farm, and the company’s website is producenow.farm. - The company also lists social channels on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The company is not waiting for federal funding to materialize before making its pitch; it is using the executive order as a timing signal for expansion. - Produce Now is framing controlled-environment agriculture as a practical complement to regenerative agriculture, rather than a competing idea. - The outreach to funding consultants and local leaders suggests the company is trying to build a coalition around public and private financing.

What's next: - Produce Now says it is looking for the right partners to bring modular farms to more communities. - The company is expected to pursue grant and funding opportunities connected to federal agriculture, food access and infrastructure programs. - Community and municipal leaders may evaluate whether modular farms fit local food resilience goals.

The bottom line: - Produce Now is betting that federal support for cleaner, more resilient agriculture will translate into demand for its modular hydroponic farms.