Company to build high-tech indoor farm in Anderson County

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Shenandoah Growers Inc., a company specializing in commercially advanced indoor agriculture, today broke ground on its next indoor Biofarm in Anderson County. The project will create 50 jobs that pay well, the company said in a news release.

Shenandoah Growers says it is poised to break a long-standing market compromise by delivering 100% USDA certified organic produce that is both affordable and widely accessible.

The company has long-term strategic partnerships with the nation’s largest food retailers, including relationships of more than 20 years, and products available in approximately 20,000 stores, according to the news release.

“Our newest Biofarm will further enable Shenandoah Growers to deliver what consumers in South Carolina and across the Southeast want: delicious organic produce, grown nearby in an environmentally responsible way, without the usual premium price,” Shenandoah Growers CEO Matt Ryan said in the release. “This farm is part of our broader vision for a transparent, diverse and responsive food system more resilient against climate change and supply chain disruptions. Looking ahead, there is tremendous opportunity to apply innovation to develop produce aligned with emerging consumer trends, from better flavor and texture to enhanced nutrient content, responsive to the burgeoning ‘food as health’ concept. We thank the state of South Carolina and Anderson County for their partnership and look forward to joining this thriving community.”

Located at 2665 Highway 29 South in Anderson, the 100,000-square-foot Biofarm will grow USDA certified organic herbs and leafy greens, the release said. Based in Rockingham, Va., the company's products include the That's Tasty brand.

“I’m pleased to welcome Shenandoah Growers Inc. to the Upstate, where they’ll deploy innovative indoor farming techniques to meet consumer demand for fresh locally grown food,” Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers said in the release. “South Carolina’s strong agricultural tradition and support for agribusiness make this a great place for Shenandoah Growers Inc. to expand to.”

The company says the new facility will be operational by the second quarter of 2022.

“I am especially excited about this announcement because Shenandoah’s operations fit perfectly with the long and storied tradition of agriculture in southern Anderson County,” Anderson County Councilman Ray Graham said in the release. “We are glad to have them on board and I know they will feel right at home in our community.”