Berlin, New Hampshire, is a city in need of a break. It was once the home of busy paper mills, but that industry has faded to a shadow of its former self. Berlin is now the home of a state and federal prison. Now, 80 jobs could be coming to Berlin by a Boston-based agriculture firm. If a 28,000 square-foot Hydroponic Greenhouse is constructed on a capped landfill site by North Country Growers, the city would benefit from a new industry, the indoor growing of lettuce and tomatoes in water with nutrients. The idea for the project has been brewing since 2017. Recently, the city and company broke ground for the project, with an eye toward opening in the spring. Roger Wood spoke to Richard Rosen in this podcast.
Richard Rosen
Biography:
Dr. Rosen spent his early years in the greenhouse and florist business, first as laborer and ultimately as grower and buyer at Harry Quint Greenhouses. Later, he began his professional career at Abt Associates advising federal government agencies, and while at Abt he was instrumental in formulating the Clean Water Act. He founded a series of energy and environmental operating businesses, serving in a variety of roles including CEO, Chief Engineer, Chief Scientific Officer, President, Consultant, Chairman and Director. He has extensive experience building operating facilities including one to remodel landfills using a patented technology and a manufacturing system to recycle rubber for use in a variety of industrial applications.
Dr. Rosen earned a master’s degree in forest science and a Ph.D. in Engineering from Harvard University.
Roger Wood is an award winning radio, podcast, newspaper and television journalist, with over 40 years of experience in the media. Roger has spent his entire professional career in New Hampshire. Roger currently serves as associate publisher and podcast producer at InDepthNH.org. He has produced news and special feature reports for InDepthNH, New Hampshire Public Radio, NPR, and other Public and commercial radio stations. He also produced spot news for CBS Radio. He has produced some 50 audiobooks and has written three novels. Roger has also moderated political forums as well as public policy discussions locally and statewide.
