Vertical farming advantages you should know about

Vertical farming harnesses the power of technology to grow crops efficiently (stacked one on top of the other) in a controlled environment. This unlocks many positives, such as higher productivity per square foot, a more efficient use of resources, and a reliable yield 24/7 (one of the main challenges of traditional field farming outdoors). Vertical farms can also be built anywhere and are typically located outside of cities, so that fresher produce can hit shelves at local grocery stores and cut down food miles.

Growing up instead of out is an important element of the future of sustainable food production. Here are six advantages of vertical farming you should know about. 

What is Vertical Farming?

Vertical farming is the process of growing crops vertically to maximize space, usually in a controlled indoor environment. This method results in high crop yields, allows for year-round food production in any climate, and enables farms to focus on goals ranging from food safety to quality.

The Advantages of Vertical Farming

The indoor vertical farming method involves growing crops in vertical layers to conserve space. Soilless growing techniques like hydroponic farming are key to the success of vertical farms.The combination of technology and a controlled indoor growing environment optimizes plant growth, health, flavor, and yield.

Here's a look at the advantages of vertical farming every consumer should be aware of:

Year-Round Food Production

Indoor vertical farms can grow 365 days per year, regardless of the weather conditions. Vertical farms are not susceptible to the impacts of storms or extreme weather events in the way conventional farms are. 

A climate-controlled environment allows for year-round, reliable food production. This reliability means the consumer has access to fresh, locally grown produce in every season.  

Efficient Use of Space

Vertical farming allows our farmers to grow more food in less space than traditional farming in horizontal rows. Vertical farms can also be built in any location, regardless of soil quality. 

Anything from an abandoned warehouse to a storage facility or shipping container right in the city can be turned into a vertical farm. Because the crops are stacked, Bowery's vertical farms are 100 times more productive on the same footprint of land than a traditional farm. 

This means produce can be grown closer to population centers, even in locations where suitable farmland isn't available. Repurposing former industrial buildings into vertical farms has the potential to save forests being cleared to create more farmland. 

Sustainable Practices

Vertical farming utilizes an approach that respects the environment and focuses on sustainable practices. By growing crops close to cities, vertical farms reduce both food miles (how far food travels to reach the shelf) and  food waste that is common to long-haul transport. 

Vertical farming also allows for enhanced resource management. Water can be recaptured and recycled; a single Bowery farm saves 15-20MM gallons of water a year compared to traditional agriculture. 

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Photo Courtesy of iFarm

Source: Agritech Tomorrow