6 steps to becoming a container farmer

Vertical container farming is also incredibly accessible, with no growing experience needed to start up your own hyper-local food hub. At LettUs Grow, all our growers have access to our team of experts for technical training, a host of tried and tested crop recipes, and the commercial know-how to assist in building your brand.

If you've been looking to bring hyper-local produce to your community but are unsure where to start, we can help guide you through the industry and bring your vertical farming venture to life. 

Here are 6 steps you should take to help you get started in your planning:

1. Do your research. 

Before every great idea is brought into reality, first there is homework. Some key areas you should look into are:

Growing with aeroponics: We will provide all the relevant training, walkthroughs and guided tours to make sure you are comfortable and familiar with the technology before you start growing in our container farms. However, reading up on the benefits of aeroponics systems and how indoor farming works will give you a head start in your understanding.

Understand your audience: Are you going to be the urban farming trendsetter in your community? Or are there container farms in operation nearby that you can learn from? Knowing where you stand at a local level and what makes your business model unique will help you establish what needs you're filling. After completing this stage, you should have a good idea about who you're going to be selling to, what crops they'll need and how this will impact your business plan. 

However, maybe profit isn't the only part of container farming you're looking to benefit from. Having a hyper-local food source can be a powerful tool in reaching out to the community, educating visitors in how container farming contributes positively to the food system, as well as supplying an experiential opportunity to learn about how crops are grown and harvested.

Discovering how you can provide an opportunity for learning and engagement will enrich your audience far beyond the crops you can provide. 

Make sure to research the benefits of container farming so you know where your business is best placed, and also where it isn't.

2. Location, location, location

The beauty of container farming is that you have the flexibility to place your business-in-a-box (almost) anywhere. Whether you find yourself in the suburbs or the city, the fields or the forest, where you choose to position yourself will determine your business model, the types of customers you will be selling to and the food miles your produce travels - so choose your location with all these elements in mind. In practical terms, you will also need:

- A relatively flat and level surface. 

- An electrical supply.

- A water supply.

- Suitable set-up for waste water drainage.

- A reliable internet connection. 

Don't worry if your location in mind isn't completely level - often our containers can be propped to create a flat surface. 

Continue reading.

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

Source: LettUsGROW