Cornell University has licensed operation of its hydroponics greenhouse -- which produces herbs and 6,000 heads of lettuce weekly -- to Challenge Industries, providing jobs for more than a dozen workers with disabilities that present a handicap to employment.

The lettuce will be available in upstate grocery stores under the Finger Lakes Fresh brand, a division of Challenge Industries.

On Thursday, Sept. 1, Cornell and Challenge Industries will officially recognize the licensing agreement with a ribbon-cutting at 10:30 a.m. at the facility, located across from the New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) building on Route 13. Officials from the university, Challenge Industries and local municipalities will attend.

Challenge Industries is a nonprofit service that provides vocational evaluation, job skills training, placement and vocational counseling.

Hydroponics is the science of growing plants in a nutrient-rich solution, and the greenhouse was a Cornell test facility for an efficient, automated greenhouse-lighting system. The license enables the facility to be converted into a business endeavor.

"This is a great example of real-world technology transfer, moving to a very directed, day-to-day operation with clear beneficial results," said Lou Albright, Cornell professor of biological and environmental engineering and co-developer of the technology used in the greenhouse.

Cornell will provide Challenge Industries with a $112,000 operating subsidy, plus $16,000 for facility improvement during the first year, and a $50,000 capital investment during the second year. The university will continue to own the facility (on land leased from NYSEG), and Challenge Industries will continue to take advantage of research done by Cornell faculty.

"We're excited to be in the greenhouse business," said Patrick McKee, president of Challenge Industries.