What is AppHarvest and how is J.D. Vance connected? Get to know Kentucky Appalachia farms
The company AppHarvest and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's running mate J.D. Vance have been garnering a lot attention for their connections and a recent CNN probe into the working conditions at AppHarvest's Kentucky facilities.
Vance recently made a speaking appearance in Lexington, Ky. Monday night, placing the two more prominently in the spotlight across the state.
AppHarvest working conditions Op/Ed: JD Vance's startup, AppHarvest, was a dangerous place to work. I know — I worked there.
Here's what you need to know:
What is AppHarvest?
AppHarvest is an indoor farming company backed by Martha Stewart, according to the Associaed Press .The company began shipping beefsteak tomatoes to Kroger, Walmart, Publix and other grocers back in 2021.
Where is AppHarvest based?
AppHarvest is based in Morehead, Ky., according to AP reporting.
Who is the founder and CEO of AppHarvest?
Kentucky native Jonathan Webb is the founder and CEO of AppHarvest, according to AP.
How is J.D. Vance connected to Kentucky startup AppHarvest?
J.D. Vance was a member of AppHarvest’s board, according to AP. His venture capital fund, Narya, was an investor in AppHarvest. Vance quit AppHarvest after some controversial tweets on X / Twitter back in 2021.
According to AP, Vance had been drawing criticism for opposing corporations that were protesting Republican efforts to change voting laws across several states. He took to social media saying states should "raise their taxes and do whatever else is necessary to fight these goons."
AppHarvest spokesman Travis Parman told AP that “it would not be appropriate for me to discuss his motivation” for his departure from the board.
How many indoor farms does AppHarvest own across Appalachia in Kentucky?
AppHarvest representatives told AP in 2021 that the company planned to build 12 indoor farms across Appalachia by 2025, which included a 60-acre facility in Richmond, Ky., and a 15-acre facility in Berea, Ky. CEO Jonathon Webb told AP that Appalachia was an ideal location due to the heavy rainfall — as AppHarvest only uses recycled rainwater for watering plants.
The company also told AP that the Morehead, Ky., greenhouse — which houses 720,000 tomato plants over the equivalent of 45 football fields — was one of the largest single-story buildings in the world in 2021. The tomato plants are harvested continually and grow as tall as 45 feet high. This helps achieve 30 times the yield of a traditional farm, according to AppHarvest.
CNN investigation on JD Vance investor startup AppHarvest in Kentucky
CNN recently launched a probe into poor working conditions at AppHarvest and JD Vance's connections to the company.
Who is Trump VP pick JD Vance?
JD Vance is the Ohio Senator selected by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to run as his vice presidential running mate in his 2024 bid to serve as the next commander and chief.
Trump's VP pick: JD Vance will be in Erie tomorrow. What he plans to discuss
What is JD Vance's 'Hillbilly Elegy'?
"Hillbilly Elegy" is a book written by Ohio Senator JD Vance in 2016. There were mixed responses to the book and his memoirs were turned into a movie.
How to watch 'Hillbilly Elegy' movie?
"Hillbilly Elegy" was made into a movie by Netflix, and is only available through the streaming platform. The service offers three subscription options:
Standard with ads: $6.99 per month
Standard without ads: $15.49 per month
Premium without ads: $22.99 per month.
How old is JD Vance? What is his age?
JD Vance was born on Aug. 2, 1984, and is 39 years old. If elected, Vance would be the youngest vice president since Richard Nixon.
Who is JD Vance's wife?
JD Vance's wife is Usha Vance — a litigator for a law firm based in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The couple met at Yale Law School and married one year after graduating in 2014.
Does JD Vance's family include children?
Yes, JD Vance has three young children — Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.
Watch Donald Trump VP pick JD Vance's RNC speech
Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: JD Vance, AppHarvest connection: What to know on Ky. indoor farms, CNN probe