PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- The Peekskill Common Council was collectively impressed by a first of its kind plan for an urban farming greenhouse.
Two aspiring entrepreneurs wowed city officials with their idea to grow and sell crops in one location that they call The Farmery.
"If there's a drug store at every corner, why can't there be a farm?" said Ben Greene, who has been working on the concept since 2009 while completing his master's thesis in industrial design at North Carolina State.
Greene and his partner, Tyler Nethers, who managed a greenhouse for endangered species plants in Hawaii, envision a "food boutique" where herbs, lettuce, chicories, strawberries and other produce is grown on site and local farmers can bring their products to sell.
"We want to have a brand that's specific in celebrating local cultures," Greene said. "We're bringing nature inside and allowing it to do what it does."
Peekskill Economic Development Specialist James Slaughter said a city-owned property has been identified as a prime location for The Farmery but Greene and Nethers first need to secure financing for the project.
Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster echoed the sentiments of the council in expressing her support for The Farmery.
"I hope this works because I think it would be a great addition to the city," Foster said.
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