The world's largest vertical farm will produce 2 million pounds of lettuce every year

Vertical farm startup AeroFarms is about to open a farm with the potential to harvest 2 million pounds of fresh, leafy greens a year, without any soil, pesticides, or sunlight. Crops sit on stacked trays outfitted with LED lights and sensors that track the growing process.

All of this happens inside a 69,000-square-foot warehouse in Newark, New Jersey. When AeroFarms officially starts production in September 2016, it will become the world's largest vertical farm. Starting in November, it will partner with organic wholesaler Farmigo and sell its greens in New York City grocery stores.

"Cities have a lot of mouths to feed. We have population growth, urbanization, and we need better ways to feed humanity that are sensitive to the environment," AeroFarms' CEO and founder David Rosenberg tells Business Insider. "Vertical farms are one of many solutions."

The stakes for AeroFarms are high, with investors like Goldman Sachs and Prudential Financial backing the company to the tune of $39 million.

I recently toured the farm, where 250 different types of herbs and greens grow on trays stacked 30 feet high. Take a look inside.