What is Vertical Farming?

Vertical farming has become a buzzword in the agriculture industry in recent years, and for good reason. Simply put, vertical farming refers to growing crops, most often leafy greens like lettuce, in a vertical manner. It is considered an amazing sustainable solution because it uses a fraction of the water, land, and manpower that traditional farming uses. Though different systems vary, most incorporate hydroponic farming into the system, which means growing crops in a water-based chemical solution instead of soil. The crops are often planted on platforms that rotate inside a container that is lit up by LED lights. The contain is completely climate controlled, meaning the farmer can adjust the “weather” of the system based on what is being grown. These systems are considered to be the future of farming because of their flexible and conservative nature. Because the systems are closed and controlled by the farmer, they can be placed anywhere and at any time in the year. This means that you can grow any kind of crop anywhere and anytime. This is extremely beneficial as the climate does not affect the crops, therefore decreasing food insecurity. Because the system does not require any land, they can be placed virtually anywhere, meaning that natural ecosystems that are normally used for farming can be restored. Another benefits of the flexibility of the systems is that consumers all around the world can have access to local goods all-year around. This is good both health-wise and sustainability-wise because the goods don’t require any pesticides and there will be minimal transportation required. These systems are shaping the future of farming!