For immediate release
MANKATO, Minn., October 20, 2026: Verdánt Organics will break ground on its first growing facility on Tuesday, November 10, at 1761 Energy Drive in Mankato. The ceremony will gather community leaders, project partners, and chef, author, and four-time James Beard Award winner Andrew Zimmern, a Verdánt advisor and investor.
The approximately $13.6 million, 63,000-square-foot facility will grow certified organic microgreens and oyster mushrooms indoors, year-round. Every growing room will be precisely controlled, so chefs, distributors, and specialty food buyers can count on the same, consistent quality in January as in July, grown in Minnesota instead of shipped across the country. The facility is expected to begin operations in Q4 2027.
APX Construction Group, headquartered in Mankato, is building the facility. Greater Mankato Growth and the City of Mankato have supported the project from its earliest stages.
Zimmern has championed great ingredients and the people who grow them throughout his career, and he will share remarks on why the project matters to him.
Following the ceremony, guests will taste small bites created by culinary students from South Central College. Student teams are developing their own microgreen recipes, and Zimmern will review their creations and offer feedback ahead of the event. Guests will vote for their favorite, and Zimmern will help recognize the winning recipe. The collaboration gives SCC culinary students a chance to connect with an accomplished chef while celebrating local agriculture and culinary innovation in Mankato.
Event details
- Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Groundbreaking: 1761 Energy Drive, Mankato, MN 56001
- Reception: 1021 Elevate Lane, Suite 300, Mankato, Minn. (next door)
- Program: Remarks from Mayor Najwa Massad, City Manager Susan Arntz, Greater Mankato Growth and its Ambassadors, and APX Construction Group
- RSVP: Details to follow
The media are welcome. Photo opportunities include the ceremonial groundbreaking and Andrew Zimmern at the reception.
About Verdánt Organics
Verdánt Organics, the operating brand of Verdánt AgriTech, LLC, grows certified organic microgreens and oyster mushrooms in a precision-controlled indoor environment, year-round and independent of season. Founded by a team with decades of combined experience in agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, science, and food production, Verdánt is reimagining how organic produce is grown and delivered. The company is building its first facility in Minnesota to provide chefs, distributors, and specialty food buyers with consistent, recipe-ready organic produce with up to three times the shelf life of conventional alternatives. Learn more at verdantorganics.com.
Media contact
Jenn Gordon, Marketing, Verdánt Organics
marketing@verdantorganics.com · 828-772-5621
Logos, headshots, and boilerplate: verdantorganics.com/news
Read more about the day on The Grow Room: Breaking ground in Mankato: join us November 10.