A North Omaha urban agricultural facility that’s gone unused since it was built four years ago will finally be activated thanks to local Black women-led nonprofits Seventy Five North Revitalization Corp. and No More Empty Pots.
The greenhouse was constructed by Seventy Five North as part of its mixed-use Highlander Village in 2018. The ag space was to be a key cog in the complex’s Highlander Accelerator at 2112 North 30th St. The Accelerator offers educational, health, food and other resources for residents. Urban farm nonprofit Whispering Roots signed on as the greenhouse tenant with a much publicized plan for doing aquaponic and hydroponic growing at scale. That original plan did not come to fruition due to a timing issue, according to Franklin.
The prospect of finally bringing life to this long idle, two-level, 17,500 square foot resource is satisfying for all involved. There’s no lack of interest in it and recent outreach to donors and residents confirms strong buy-in from stakeholders, Seventy Five North President-CEO Cydney Franklin said.