When you hear the word “farm”, you may imagine the countryside with cows and crops. But scientists say the farms of the future could be built in tall buildings in some large cities. It may be difficult to believe, but in fact, the technology for growing crops in doors already exists. Farming in the city is already happening. Some vegetables are already grown in greenhouses. Even the scientists at the South Pole research station can enjoy fresh vegetables they grow in their own greenhouse. Experts say indoor farming solves many problems. First, traditional farming takes up a lot of land. Growing crops in tall buildings — called vertical farming(垂直农业)— can solve the problem. Also, fruits and vegetables grown indoors would not face serious threats from insects and weather. Though vertical farms don’t exist yet, experts have created a plan for recycling in such farms. The water from indoor fish ponds would be used to water crops. Gases from crop waste would be used to heat the building. Waste from chicken or pigs would be reused as a source of energy. But experts believe vertical farming is not going to be easy. They say it can be difficult to control climate conditions indoors. Besides, Plants differ in their weather and lighting needs. For example, some plants like warm, sunny weather, but other plants prefer cooler temperatures. That’s not to say these difficulties won’t be overcome — but it will take time. Most experts suggest it may take about 5 to 15 years before the first vertical farms could be created.
### **段落1**
**When you hear the word “farm”, you may imagine the countryside with cows and crops.**
当你听到“农场”这个词时,你可能会想象出乡村里有奶牛和庄稼的景象。
**But scientists say the farms of the future could be built in tall buildings in some large cities.**
但科学家表示,未来的农场可能会建在一些大城市的高楼大厦中。
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### **段落2**
**It may be difficult to believe, but in fact, the technology for growing crops indoors already exists.**
这可能很难相信,但事实上,用于室内种植农作物的技术已经存在。
**Farming in the city is already happening.**
城市中的农业已经开始出现了。
**Some vegetables are already grown in greenhouses.**
一些蔬菜已经被种植在温室里。
**Even the scientists at the South Pole research station can enjoy fresh vegetables they grow in their own greenhouse.**
甚至南极科考站的科学家们也能够享用他们自己温室中种植的新鲜蔬菜。
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### **段落3**
**Experts say indoor farming solves many problems.**
专家表示,室内农业可以解决许多问题。
**First, traditional farming takes up a lot of land.**
首先,传统农业占用了大量的土地。
**Growing crops in tall buildings — called vertical farming(垂直农业)— can solve the problem.**
将农作物种植在高楼大厦中——被称为垂直农业——可以解决这一问题。
**Also, fruits and vegetables grown indoors would not face serious threats from insects and weather.**
此外,室内种植的水果和蔬菜将不会面临来自昆虫和天气的严重威胁。
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### **段落4**
**Though vertical farms don’t exist yet, experts have created a plan for recycling in such farms.**
虽然垂直农场尚未出现,但专家已经为这些农场设计出了循环利用的计划。
**The water from indoor fish ponds would be used to water crops.**
室内鱼塘中的水可以被用来灌溉农作物。
**Gases from crop waste would be used to heat the building.**
农作物废料产生的气体可以被用来给建筑物供暖。
**Waste from chicken or pigs would be reused as a source of energy.**
鸡或猪的粪便可以被重新利用作为能源来源。
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### **段落5**
**But experts believe vertical farming is not going to be easy.**
但是,专家认为垂直农业并不会那么容易实现。
**They say it can be difficult to control climate conditions indoors.**
他们表示,要控制室内的气候条件可能会很困难。
**Besides, plants differ in their weather and lighting needs.**
此外,不同植物对天气和光照的需求有所不同。
**For example, some plants like warm, sunny weather, but other plants prefer cooler temperatures.**
例如,有些植物喜欢温暖、阳光充足的天气,而另一些植物则更喜欢较凉爽的温度。
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### **段落6**
**That’s not to say these difficulties won’t be overcome — but it will take time.**
这并不是说这些困难无法克服——只是需要时间。
**Most experts suggest it may take about 5 to 15 years before the first vertical farms could be created.**
多数专家认为,可能需要大约5到15年的时间才能建立起第一个垂直农场。