Pa.’s largest indoor indoor greens farm opens in Carbon

Gov. Josh Shapiro was in Carbon County Wednesday for the grand opening of Little Leaf Farms. 

The new farm is now the largest indoor-grown leafy greens production facility in the state. 

Officially opened in McAdoo this fall as part of its expansion, Little Leaf Farms – which produces packaged lettuce sustainably grown through controlled environment agriculture – grows its presence in Carbon County with the opening of this second facility in Pennsylvania. 

Little Leaf Farms already owns 180 acres in McAdoo and opened its first 10-acre greenhouse in July 2022.  

The additional capacity of 10 acres with this expansion will allow Little Leaf Farms to increase its retail presence to nearly 5,000 grocery stores, making its produce available at most major retailers from the Midwest to the Southeast. 

The indoor farm expects to employ around 170 workers by the end of the year.  

The state supported the project with $3.5 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants. 

“Pennsylvania has a proud agricultural heritage, and our agriculture sector is a key driver of our economy, contributing over $132 billion to our economy and supporting nearly 600,000 jobs,” said Shapiro. “I want to plant a flag and show the rest of the country that Pennsylvania is a leader in agriculture, job creation, and innovation – and Little Leaf Farms’ investment in our Commonwealth is proof that the future is being grown right here in Carbon County. Pennsylvania is open for business and my Administration will continue to support our farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who want to grow and thrive here in the Commonwealth.” 

The new production facility will house state-of-the-art technology and efficiencies, including advanced heating, cooling, and lighting systems, and will integrate the brand’s hands-free automated grow system, meaning the leafy greens are untouched from seed to packaging and do not require washing. Little Leaf Farms’ lettuce is farmed 365 days a year, harvested daily, and delivered from greenhouse to grocery store within 24 hours.