06/05/2022
5 reasons why every single city needs vertical farming.
What is Vertical Farming? 🤔
The simplest way to describe vertical farming is that it’s a method of growing plants stacked one on top of another, rather than along the ground in rows.
There are several different methods for growing, but they’re almost all done indoors.
Each plant is given the correct conditions for optimal growth, and because this is all managed indoors, climate and seasons are no longer restricting factors.
1. Vertical Farming is Local 🧑🌾
In urban environments, it’s rare to have truly local agriculture and farmland. Most traditional farms require space that simply can’t be found in densely packed cities.
2. Vertical Farming is Controlled 🔌 🎛
It seems like every few months there’s a new food recall due to contamination.
That’s in addition to 2020’s recalls of melons, peaches, onions, citrus fruits, basil, mushrooms, and various other food products, both fresh and prepared.
Because vertical farming is generally managed in controlled environments, it presents far fewer opportunities for contaminants to be introduced.
3. Vertical Farming is Year-Round 🌎
On a traditional farm, you have seasons of planting and seasons of harvest. In some climates, you might be able to get in two harvests per year, per crop, but most crops are seasonal.
Vertical farms can create their own indoor climates. Temperature, UV-exposure, humidity, and other conditions can all be carefully controlled.
This means that in the middle of a blizzard outside, you can be growing fresh spinach or strawberries inside.
It allows for seasonal produce to be harvested year-round, with 11-13 harvests per year for many crops.
4. Vertical Farming Promotes Health👩⚕️
With the implementation of urban agriculture in the form of vertical farms, fresh, nutritious food becomes readily available to the community, at affordable prices.
This allows families to throw together a healthy salad or stir fry instead of running through a drive-through.
5. Vertical Farming Creates Jobs
Traditional farms often employ seasonal workers who are paid minimally, offered no benefits, and then dumped as soon as the work is done for the season.
Vertical farms, by contrast, provide viable employment year-round. Their employees can earn a living wage, participate in work that is meaningful to the community, and often get full benefits as well.
Rather than treating our essential food workers as disposable, vertical farming creates careers and supports economic growth year round.
Become a Vertical Farmer 🧑🌾
So, does your city need vertical farming? We think the better question is how many vertical farms are needed and where should they be located. Want to explore the vertical farming business further? 👇
Send me a message if you’d like to learn how we can help bring healthy food, viable jobs, and safe produce to your neighborhood.
