Editor, Times-Union: In the future, some farms will be underground where having sunlight won’t be required. Fungus farming will be done underground. Mushrooms are already being grown underground back East. It may be possible in the future for Morell mushrooms to be grown underground if conditions that exist above are duplicated. That means we could enjoy them year round instead of just the Spring and Fall. Protein vats where yeast and other substances are cultured will produce synthetic foods that will be processed in food labs underground. The most tender and most mouth watering steaks may in the future come from food labs and not a single cow will need to be killed. Fish farms and shellfish beds will be underground too with high-efficiency lights duplicating the sun. Cultured pearls will come from oysters raised where light isn’t important. Jewelry stores may contract pearl farmers while restaurants may be supplied with oysters and other shellfish from the same farmers. Crops and grass that are grown on the walls of vertical farm towers will also be grown underground. Water collected from above and below will water crops, fruits, and vegetables so that fresh berries will be available for pies and desserts in the dead of winter. With micro-brewed beers being popular, there will also be underground breweries turning out both conventional and alcohol-free beer and adult beverages. All the ingredients will be grown underground where conditions can be controlled. Livestock will be raised underground. Hogs and cattle may live their entire lives without ever seeing the sun. Eggs will be produced in underground poultry farms where the threat of bird flu will not exist. Bees might be the only insects allowed underground where they can pollinate flowers, fruits and nuts. Disease and infestations will be eliminated in the hives and honey production will increase. A bright light on a ceiling will substitute the sun to help bees navigate. And with no problems caused by weather, damages associated with weather will be eliminated. Time may not matter underground. Eggs will be automatically gathered around the clock and livestock and poultry slaughtered and processed at 6 a.m. might be on the dinner table at 6 p.m. Underground farming will also be done below urban areas so that grocery stores can brag that their meats and produce are the freshest because they come from under the stores. Talk about convenient.
