Rockwell Automation has launched Clock Tower Farms, a new hydroponic food‑production facility located within its Milwaukee headquarters. The project is a partnership with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Fork Farm, a startup that supplies modular hydroponic systems. The goal is to grow and supply fresh, nutritious produce to address hunger in the region while showcasing Rockwell’s automation expertise in a non‑traditional industry.
The farm will house 72 Fork Farm Flex Acre hydroponic units, each controlled by Rockwell’s PlantPAx automation platform. The system integrates data analytics and real‑time monitoring to optimize crop growth, reduce labor costs, and improve yield consistency. The combination of hydroponics and industrial automation allows the facility to operate year‑round with high efficiency.
Clock Tower Farms is projected to grow 200,000 pounds of leafy greens and other produce annually. The hydroponic approach saves nearly 6 million gallons of water compared with conventional farming and conserves 5.5 acres of conventional crop land, underscoring the sustainability benefits of the initiative.
Strategically, the initiative expands Rockwell’s portfolio beyond traditional manufacturing automation, creating a potential new revenue stream and reinforcing the company’s ESG commitments. By partnering with Feeding America, Rockwell demonstrates how technology can solve real‑world challenges at scale and meaningfully impact communities, while the farm serves as a scalable model that could be replicated in other regions.
The project was first announced in August 2023 with an expected completion in summer 2024. Construction is now underway, and the facility is slated to become fully operational later in 2026, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long‑term growth strategy.
"Clock Tower Farms demonstrates how industrial automation can solve real‑world challenges at scale and meaningfully impact our communities," said Patricia Contreras, vice president of Community Impact at Rockwell Automation. "Working with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Fork Farm allows us to combine our strengths to address hunger and ensure more families have access to fresh, healthy produce year round." "We're partnering across our industry and within communities to create sustainable impact and change," added Blake Moret, chairman and CEO. "Clock Tower Farms will engage employees and the community while serving as a showcase for manufacturers spanning diverse industries who want to see sustainable solutions in action. We look forward to sharing more details next summer upon the project's completion." "Reliable access to fresh, nutritious food is critical to health and well-being," said Patti Dew, interim president and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. "Clock Tower Farms strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality produce efficiently to pantry partners across our network, expanding access to foods that support long-term health for neighbors throughout Eastern Wisconsin."
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