CORE Electric Cooperative, FarmBox Foods & HRCA Partner
to Plant Hydroponically Grown Trees in Backcountry Wilderness Area

Douglas County, Colo. (Aug. 25, 2025) – CORE Electric Cooperative, FarmBox Foods and the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) Backcountry Wilderness Area came together on August 20 to plant blue spruce trees grown in a hydroponic farm, marking an innovative step toward sustainable reforestation
(watch the video).

The trees, a native species to Colorado, were cultivated in a FarmBox Foods vertical hydroponic container farm owned by CORE Electric Cooperative. The effort is part of a larger collaboration between the electricity distributor and FarmBox Foods to explore how hydroponic technology can support large-scale propagation of native trees. By collecting data on the growing process, the partners aim to strengthen future reforestation initiatives  by partnersacross the state.

“We can safely say this is the first program of its kind. It’s fun to be part of such a unique partnership that’s doing something good for the community and allows us to conduct research,” said Chris Michlewicz, vice president of communications for FarmBox Foods.

The planting took place in the HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area, an 8,200-acre expanse of protected land dedicated to conservation, recreation and outdoor education. Joining the effort were children from the Wild Roots, a year-round, nature-based early childhood program. With guidance from staff from the HRCA, FarmBox Foods and CORE Electric Cooperative, the preschoolers eagerly participated in planting the saplings, making the event both educational and hands-on.

“While we sometimes need to remove trees to protect the electrical system, it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a program that helps restore them to the environment,” said Kevin Perkins, vegetation manager for CORE Electric Cooperative.

The HRCA will oversee the long-term care of the trees while FarmBox Foods will periodically monitor their progress and health. Together, the organizations hope to demonstrate how advanced farming methods can complement traditional land stewardship practices.

“The young trees we planted in the Backcountry Wilderness Area show the growth that’s possible when organizations like CORE and FarmBox Foods align with a conservation-focused nonprofit. Planted by preschool-aged kids, the small sprouts now have the chance to grow and thrive alongside the children who placed them in the soil — rooting both in the future of our local wild place,” said Lindsey McKissick, communications manager for the Backcountry Wilderness Area.

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CORE’s Vertical Hydroponic Farm is housed inside an upcycled, insulated shipping container that FarmBox is using for research and development, with the goal of replanting blue spruces and ponderosa pines, both native species in Colorado, in places impacted by wildfires within CORE’s service area.

Guided tours of the box and interviews were provided by subject matter experts. CORE and FarmBox Foods’ executive teams also attended, as did research advisers from CSU-Spur and members of the media from 9News and The Denver Channel/KMGH.

“CORE’s partnership with FarmBox has given us an innovative way to support Colorado’s natural resources and continue our dedication to environmental stewardship,” said Pam Feuerstein, CORE’s Interim CEO.

FarmBox Foods began successfully growing tree seedlings and saplings in the controlled-climate container farm in 2021, but the Vertical Hydroponic Farm purchased by CORE is the first to be solely dedicated to tree propagation. FarmBox Foods operates the indoor tree farm at its home base in Sedalia and is conducting research on drought resistance, nutrient dosing, lighting and other growing parameters.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better partner to launch a ground-breaking program like this,” said Rusty Walker, CEO of FarmBox Foods. “CORE is pioneering something that could have a tremendous impact beyond just Colorado, and we have the technology and the team to make it happen.”

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