Flora Hydroponic Farm Expansion Reaches Full Capacity, Boosting Mississippi-Grown Produce
FLORA, Miss. — March 17, 2026 — A major expansion at Salad Days Hydroponic Farm is now fully operational in Flora, dramatically increasing Mississippi’s ability to grow its own fresh produce and reducing the state’s reliance on lettuce shipped from across the country.
State and local leaders gathered at noon Tuesday at Flora Industrial Park to cut the ribbon on the company’s new 68,000-square-foot greenhouse facility, which will produce up to 3 million heads of lettuce annually using advanced hydroponic farming technology.
Among those attending the ceremony were Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson, USDA Mississippi Director Dane Maxwell, Madison County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Joey Deason, and Flora Mayor Les Childress.
For Salad Days President Leigh Bailey, the expansion represents a major step toward rebuilding Mississippi’s local food supply.
“Today, about 95% of the lettuce eaten in Mississippi is grown more than 1,500 miles away in California and Arizona,” Bailey said.
“Customers in the deep south should and now can demand fresh, locally grown lettuce in their favorite restaurants and grocery stores.”
The high-tech greenhouse uses controlled environment agriculture (CEA), allowing Salad Days to grow consistently beautiful lettuce year-round without pesticides. Produce from the facility is shipped to restaurants, grocery stores and food distributors across Mississippi and neighboring states.
Because the lettuce is grown locally, it reaches stores days fresher than produce trucked across the country, improving shelf life and nutritional quality.
State officials said the project highlights the growing role of innovative agriculture in Mississippi’s economy.
“Mississippi continues to lead the way in agricultural production and diversity,” Gipson said. “Having a facility of this scale producing fresh, healthy food for our people is a major win. It strengthens our local food supply and supports better health for Mississippi families. Today marks the beginning of Mississippi’s strategic plan to increase our local food production, processing and distribution to help meet the basic needs of our local people and communities, as well as our neighbors across the region and country.”
The project has enjoyed tremendous community support and received financial incentives from the City of Flora, Madison County Economic Development Authority, the Mississippi Land Water & Timber Board, the Mississippi Development Authority, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Entergy Solutions.
Deason said the expansion reinforces Madison County’s reputation as a hub for specialty food production and agricultural innovation.
“Seeing Salad Days reach full capacity shows what can happen when local leadership, agriculture and technology come together,” Deason said. “Projects like this bring new investment, strengthen our economy and keep Mississippi agriculture moving forward.”
About Salad Days
Salad Days is a proud woman owned business creating world class hydroponic produce based in Flora, Mississippi. It’s the preferred produce brand for some of the Deep South’s best restaurants and most celebrated chefs, and it’s now available for commercial distribution in leading grocery stores throughout the Southeast. More info at http://www.saladdaysproduce.com.