On Day 3 in Iceland, we visited Fridheimar’s Tomato Farm, where they are growing fresh tomatoes year-round through a hydroponic system. They rely on Iceland’s naturally heated underground water to provide heat and electricity in their greenhouses, as artificial light is necessary for plant growth during Iceland’s dark winters. Fridheimar’s is sustainable in every way imaginable: they use 100% green energy, they are pesticide-free, they compost extra plant material to reduce waste, and they are even working towards a carbon neutrality goal. It was really interesting to learn about how the farm operates and the amount of labor and organization that are necessary to produce so many tomatoes.
After our tour, we left to see some of Iceland’s natural wonders. Our first destination was Gullfoss, an incredible waterfall in the Golden Circle. I have never experienced such strong winds while standing on the lookout platform above the waterfall; it was difficult to stand upright at times. I was amazed at the views, nevertheless. After Gullfoss, we stopped at Geysir, the site of Iceland’s most famous geyser. We walked around this geothermal area and saw hot springs spewing boiling water into the air. Day 3 was a success!
Swanson School of Engineering 