From the outside this may look like just an average greenhouse, but inside the building at the corner of University and Recker in Mesa is a fascinating new approach to farming.
A holistic pharmacist built a vertical grow operation which is providing organic produce for average citizens, restaurants and, maybe soon, cancer treatment centers.
Troy Albright is the man behind the 5,000-square-foot greenhouse which is filled with 320 towers.
The towers stand 9 feet tall and are topped with tantalizing treats that typically thrive on terra firma.
"We can grow any kind of leafy green plant you can think of," Albright said. "Everything from all of the different varieties of lettuce, kale, spinach, Swiss Chard, all your herbs and spices -- anything that's not a root vegetable we can grow in this greenhouse."
Nutrient-rich water cascades through the tower timed to best promote growth.
In 29 days they can go from seedling to a full head of lettuce.
Troy said his plot uses 90 percent less water than a tradition farm on only a fraction of the land.
"If you were trying to grow this in the ground", he said, "it would take one to two acres."
"My wife and I own a compounding pharmacy... [and] we've studied health and wellness and we realize it starts with what you eat," Albright said.
They are also selling shorter starter tower garden systems and teaching clients how to grow their own living produce.
Troy and his wife were introduced to tower garden through a client three years ago, and for the past year-and-a-half he's been harvesting the benefits not only financially but physically.
"If you had met me about 18 months ago, I weighed 253 pounds and now I'm down to 180", said Albright.
Two to three organic restaurants use produce grown at the greenhouse.
Troy said he is in talks with a cancer treatment center to provide produce they serve patients.
They also host a farm market on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
