High-tech rural Ky. greenhouse AppHarvest, which shipped its first tomatoes last month, begins public trading Monday

AppHarvest tomatoes are prepared for shipping. (Photo provided by AppHarvest)

AppHarvest, a company that aims to bring more high-tech agriculture jobs and fresh produce to Eastern Kentucky, is on a roll. The start-up, which Fast Company says may transform Appalachia into an "agricultural powerhouse," shipped its first tomatoes a few weeks ago, got a plug from Martha Stewart, and now it's set to make its stock-market debut.

Novus Capital Corp. completed its merger with AppHarvest this week, and on Monday the freshly-minted entity (which will be called AppHarvest) is expected to begin trade on the Nasdaq. AppHarvest CEO and founder Jonathan Webb will continue to lead, Jayson Derrick reports for Benzinga.