Adriana Rovers/University Photography
Electric utilities and electric research firms from across the state have provided funding and information to build a demonstration-cooperative hydroponic greenhouse on Pinckney Road in Dryden. Research for the controlled-environment greenhouse project will be done by Cornell. From left, James Schug, supervisor of the town of Dryden; Robert Marsham of Agway Inc.; Edward Torrero of the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corp.; Peter Douglas of the New York State Electric Research & Development Authority; Richard Peterson of the Electric Power Research Institute; Louis Albright, Cornell professor of agricultural engineering; and Chris Wood of the New York State Electric & Gas Corp., help break ground Monday for the 9,000-square-foot greenhouse, which is expected to be completed in about a year. It will produce 1,000 heads of leaf lettuce daily, said Robert Langhans, director of Cornell's Controlled Environment Program. Cornell researchers hope this test will help lead New York into growing products like spinach, tomatoes and peppers in controlled-atmosphere, hydroponic greenhouses.