NEWBERRY – Federal, state, local and university leaders gathered Tuesday morning in Newberry to break ground on a $66 million high-tech agricultural project that developers say could reshape how produce is grown and delivered in North Central Florida.
Community members joined Harvest Singularity representatives and elected officials at the corner of Newberry Road and Northwest 220th Street for the ceremonial groundbreaking of what organizers described as the first of two artificial intelligence-powered greenhouse facilities planned for the city.
Officials attending the event included Newberry Mayor Tim Marden; Damian Adams, Director of the University of Florida Office of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation; Harvest Singularity Holding Co. CEO Charles Garza; Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly; University of Florida Vice President for Government and Community Relations Chuck Clemons; U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, who served as keynote speaker; Florida Rep. Chad Johnson; Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott; and Undersheriff Joshua Crews.
According to project organizers, the greenhouse complex will use artificial intelligence and technology developed through a partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to produce crops including leafy vegetables, tomatoes and strawberries.
Earlier reports stated the project is expected to create more than 50 full-time jobs paying an average salary of about $91,000 annually. The 325,000-square-foot greenhouse will rely on advanced precision agriculture technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and automation to grow crops more efficiently, with projections of 20 to 26 leafy green harvests each year while using significantly less land and water than conventional farming practices.
Developers said the technology is designed to reduce the time needed for produce to move from harvest to grocery shelves. Rather than produce being shipped from outside the state and arriving after 10 to 14 days, organizers said locally grown crops could be harvested, packaged and delivered within one to two days.
Supporters of the project said the controlled greenhouse environment could also help reduce risks commonly faced by traditional farming, including severe weather, freezes and drought conditions.
Project leaders said the development is expected to create jobs while increasing local food production capacity and strengthening regional agricultural infrastructure.
The groundbreaking also highlighted the increasing role of technology and research partnerships in agriculture, particularly as communities seek more efficient and sustainable ways to produce food.
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