With all this talk of indoor farming, CEA, and on, and on, we thought we'd finally go to the effort to settle it once for and all and put out our comprehensive guide on 'What Is Vertical Farming'.
If you haven't noticed already, cultivating produce vertically is a growing trend in agriculture (we couldn't help ourselves). As folks have become more conscious of sustainability and the obvious limitations of traditional farming, "vertical farming" has emerged as a potentially game changing approach to growing the food all of us consumer every single day.
But what exactly is this method of farming, and why should we give shishito pepper?
If you've found yourself asking questions like "What is vertical farming?" or "How can it solve our food problems?" or "This website talks a lot about vertical farming, and I have no idea what that is" -- you're in the right place. Let's dive in as we embark on on a journey to climb the heights of vertical farming, indoor farming, and container farming, diving deep into how they work, why they're great for you, and why the way we grow our food is about to change forever.
What is Vertical Farming?
What is it and how does it differ from traditional agriculture?
Put simply and succinctly, farming vertically is the practice of growing crops in up, not out, typically in a controlled indoor environment. Easy p-easy, right?
Unlike traditional farming, which spreads across vast fields (horizontally, generally), vertical farming uses vertically aligned structures to grow plants up towards the heavens instead of outwards towards all that valuable land. This mode of growing is absolutely ideal for urban environments where space is limited (like large urban cities - a hallmark of the North American landscape), allowing us to grow crops closer to where people live.
One interesting feature of this type of agriculture (whether indoors or outdoors), is that Instead of soil, farming using vertical growing technology typically relies on advanced systems like hydroponics, aeroponics, or aquaponics to deliver nutrients directly to plant roots. LED lights replace natural sunlight, making year-round crop production possible. This technology offers a revolutionary way to produce fresh, sustainable food with fewer environmental impacts. It also empowers us to grow foods in places you could never imagine, from as far as the remote arctic north of Canada, to the inhospitable deserts of central Australia.
How Does Vertical Farming Work?
No sunlight or soil? What's the catch!
Before we get too deep into hydroponics, it's probably worthwhile understanding how plants grow. Watch the video below to find out more.
When you grow towards the sky, plants generally grow without soil using methods like hydroponics, aeroponics, or aquaponics.
Yep, you heard us right - no soil.
For instance, hydroponics -- a technique where the plants receive nutrients through a water-based solution, is very popular in indoor growing. In contrast, aeroponics involves suspending plant roots in the air and misting them with nutrients. These advanced technologies ensure that each plant gets precisely the right amount of nutrients, water, and light needed for optimal growth.
Who knew you could use such little water?
LED lighting has also revolutionized how we grow, and as a result, the indoor growing game. Hyper-efficient LEDs (like the ones we use from Photontek), which helps reduce high energy costs and output, replaces natural sunlight, giving plants the light spectrum they need for photosynthesis. Because this system is automated, crops can thrive throughout the year, unaffected by seasonal changes or unpredictable weather conditions. No reason to fear the first frost, any more!
The Benefits of Vertical Farming
Ok, so what's all the fuss about?
We thought you'd never ask. There are several amazing benefits to farming up, not out, that make it a revolutionary approach to agriculture:
- Space Efficiency: By growing plants up instead of out, vertical farms can cultivate more crops in much smaller spaces, making them ideal for urban settings.
- Year-Round Production: Controlled indoor environments mean crops can be produced throughout the year, unaffected by weather or seasonal conditions. Growing produce on a -30 day is a not just a dream.
- Reduced Water Use: Growing vertically uses A LOT less water compared to traditional farming. We're talking up to 90% less. The closed-loop systems ensure minimal waste and hyper-efficient water use. In places where droughts are of real concern, this is quite literally a life saver.
- No Pesticides: Since the environment is controlled, there's no need for harsh pesticides or herbicides, resulting in safer, healthier produce for you, your family, your friends, and everyone in between.
Types of Vertical Farming Systems
Hydroponics
What is hydroponics, and why is it so popular?
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using nutrient-rich water instead of soil. It's the method of growing we use with our gardens at Just Vertical. Nutrients (like the Canna nutrients we use) are dissolved in the water and delivered directly to plant roots that are often dangling in the nutrient-rich solutions. This is the most widely-used method in indoor farming because it's efficient and extremely simple to set up (depending on the level of automation you want to provide). It also allows for precise control over nutrient intake, leading to faster growth (up to 2x faster) and higher yields.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil in nutrient-rich solutions or inert material & oxygenated water.
— World Food Programme (@WFP) April 22, 2019
🌱 zero soil
💦 uses up to 90% less water
🌻 crops mature more rapidly
🌍 1/4 of the space for the same amount of crops
❌ less susceptible to pests pic.twitter.com/wgDeQrTO1h
Aeroponics
What makes aeroponics different from hydroponics?
Aeroponics involves suspending plant roots in the air and misting them with nutrient-rich water. Unsurprisingly, It uses even less water than hydroponics while also providing superior oxygen exposure to the roots, which can lead to faster growth. However, aeroponics requires more precise control and very particular equipment, making it slightly more complex for beginners. At Just Vertical, we've dealt with clients on numerous occasions dealing with problems stemming from inadequate hardware for aeroponic growing, so you need to make sure you get it right.
Aquaponics
How do fish play a role in vertical farming?
🌱 Prof. Amit Gross shares insights on a groundbreaking indoor aquaponic system that innovatively combines fish and lettuce cultivation. This system recycles most of the water, harnesses the energy from solid waste, and uses nutrients to nourish plants. Prof. Gross states, "In… pic.twitter.com/MQUM5OPIzU
— bidrBGU (@bidrBGU) July 29, 2024
The ultimate match made in heaven. Aquaponics combines hydroponics with aquaculture, allowing fish and plants to coexist in a symbiotic environment with plants (amazing, right!?). Fish waste provides the nutrients that plants need, and the plants filter and clean the water for the fish. It's a sustainable and eco-friendly approach that reduces waste while producing both fresh fish and produce. The major difficulty, however, is the added complexity involved in maintaining both the plants AND the fish. Not easy, but definitely neat once it pays off.
Vertical Farming vs. Traditional Farming: A Comparison
How does vertical farming stack up against traditional farming?
When comparing alternative farming methods like farming vertically to traditional farming methods, there are some major important differences:
- Land Use Efficiency: Vertical farms use significantly less land by growing upward.
- Water Consumption: Generally, farming vertically can reduce water use by up to 95%, which is crucial in regions facing water scarcity.
- No Pesticides: There are no pesticides, which means a cleaner, healthier product.
- Consistent Yields: The controlled environment means that crops are less susceptible to weather fluctuations, leading to predictable, consistent yields.
What is Container Farming - The All In One Solution?
Can vertical farming be done in shipping containers?
Thankfully for the planet, the answer to the above questions is a resounding YES!
Container farming is a type of agriculture where crops are grown inside converted shipping containers. These containers are climate-controlled and can be stacked, allowing for a modular and scalable farming solution.
Container farming is perfect for urban areas or any environment where space is oh so precious. It's mobile too---if you need to relocate, you can take your farm along with you. This flexibility makes container farming an amazing option for those at the forefront of urban agriculture and urban farming, and also makes them a viable solution for building for-profit businesses with indoor farming.
How to Start a Vertical Farm
What do you need to get started?
Starting your own farm might seem intimidating, but breaking it down into manageable steps can make the process a lot easier. Here's a simple list to guide you:
- Choose Your Farming System: Decide whether you want to use hydroponics, aeroponics, or aquaponics.
- Select a Location: Find a suitable indoor space. It could be a spare room, basement, or even a repurposed shipping container.
- Install Grow Lights: LED lights are essential for providing the right kind of light spectrum for plant growth.
- Set Up Nutrient Delivery Systems: Depending on your chosen method, set up a hydroponic or aeroponic system to deliver nutrients to your plants.
- Pick Your Crops: Leafy greens and herbs are great for beginners due to their fast growth and low maintenance.
Starting your farm requires some initial investment and planning, but the potential payoff---fresh, local produce year-round---is worth it.
Challenges in Vertical Farming
What are the challenges faced by the vertical farm industry?
While this method of farming offers many advantages, it's not without its challenges:
- High Initial Costs: Setting up a farm can be expensive, with costs for equipment, grow lights, and automation systems adding up quickly. Check out our ROI calculator to get a feel for the initial costs and payback periods.
- Energy Consumption: LED lights and climate control systems can lead to high energy usage, although renewable energy solutions can help offset these costs.
- Technical Expertise: Operating a farm requires knowledge of plant biology, nutrient systems, and lighting. It can be a steep learning curve for those new to farming.
However, despite these challenges, the long-term benefits in terms of sustainability and yield can make this method of farming a worthwhile venture.
The Future of Vertical Farming
Is this the future of food production?
The potential of alternative farming methods is vast.
As urban populations grow and arable land becomes scarcer, growing in available vertical spaces offers a sustainable way to meet the increasing demand for food. Innovations in automation, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy are continually making new modes of farming more efficient and accessible, also meaning the farms can be built in a variety of applications.
In the future, we can expect to see more farms in interesting and novel spaces integrated into urban landscapes, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting food and providing fresher produce to city dwellers.
From urban farms to innovation hubs, Zac Toh shows how individual action, when connected to community, empowers sustainability! Read his insights for a greener future in our community blog: https://t.co/cgj6eQQAlC pic.twitter.com/BiCPYFjw5e
— Our Better World (@obetterworld) November 12, 2024
Is Vertical Farming Environmentally Friendly?
How does vertical farming contribute to sustainability?
Farming vertically can significantly reduce the environmental impact of agriculture (make sure you read this article - it's a real eye opener).
By using less water, eliminating the need for pesticides, and reducing food miles (the distance food travels from farm to consumer), growing on a vertical plane is far more sustainable than traditional farming methods (that grow horizontally across a field). Hooray!
Moreover, because this method of farming is usually conducted indoors, it avoids soil degradation and can make efficient use of urban spaces that might otherwise remain unused.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vertical Farming
Is vertical farming profitable?
Yes, this method of farming can be profitable, especially for high-value crops like leafy greens, herbs, and specialty produce. The profitability depends on the efficiency of the system and market demand.
What types of crops grow best in vertical farms?
Leafy greens, herbs, and microgreens are best suited for farming indoors on a vertical growing plane because of their short growth cycle and space efficiency. Fruits like strawberries and some vegetables can also be grown successfully.
Can vertical farming help address food scarcity?
Definitely. With high-yielding farms built in cities, you can produce food in urban areas easily, resulting in accessible fresh produce year-round, particularly in areas with limited access to traditional farmland.
Is vertical farming energy-efficient?
Energy efficiency in farming largely depends on the energy source for lighting and climate control. By using renewable energy sources, vertical farms can greatly reduce their carbon footprint.
Has Just Vertical built any indoor container farms?
Absolutely! One of our favourite partners is Seneca College, where we installed our technology in a 20' container that grows all year. You can learn more about it below.
Conclusion: Vertical Farming is Accessible to Nearly Everybody
Vertical farming is a groundbreaking approach that allows us to grow food more efficiently and sustainably. Whether you're a small-scale hobbyist or a commercial grower, vertical farming has something to offer. Its ability to use space wisely, produce food year-round, and minimize environmental impacts makes it an attractive solution for the future of agriculture.
Talk to Just Vertical to Start Today
Vertical farming is accessible to nearly everybody---whether you're an individual wanting to grow herbs at home or a business seeking a larger-scale solution. Talk with us at Just Vertical to find out how we can help you get started. Let's bring the farm to the city together!
