7 Reasons Why Vertical Farming Will Change the Way you Eat

Vertical Farming, started by Dickson Despommier and his university students, allows for indoor, year-round farming even in dense, urban communities. Costs may be higher, but fresher food is the result.

When you think of a farm what do you imagine? Flat, open spaces full of green vegetables, a clear blue sky, and a farmer roaming through a land full of fresh vegetables. Keep this scene in your head, then imagine that the plants are in beds stacked one on top of another in a building or in a warehouse. Maybe the image is not as pastoral and idyllic, but it’s definitely cleaner, more efficient and sustainable for the environment and for people.

To give you an idea of what this may look like take a look below:

Dickson Despommier, emeritus professor at Columbia University, in his TED Talk reminds us that farming is not a natural process but was invented 10,000 years ago. Today, it is an essential part of our survival but is becoming increasingly difficult as population increases. Our hospitable planet has 6.8 million people to feed, and it would take the size of South America to make this possible. Seems to be an impossible feat, especially since this ratio does not include the amount of land we take to raise cattle. Plus, the population is only increasing.

When vertical farming comes into play, this growing issue may significantly shrink in size; going up creates an infinite amount of space and opportunity to change the way we produce and eat. Farming will become possible anywhere, even in bustling urban communities that already pack people into small spaces. We have learned that if we want to make more room we go up, not out.

How does vertical farming work?

Beds of plants are stacked up to the ceiling and a lift is placed between each stack so that people can access each plant. Specific lighting is used as well, blue and red LED lights, which create the perfect wavelengths for photosynthesis according to Harbor County News. It is a brilliant idea that presents amazing results.

Sterilized air sweeps up through the building and reaches all of the plants (of course they give them a little growing boost by adding in some extra CO2). The purified air is good for the plants and for the people working the farm. It reduces the chance of food borne illnesses.

If the above information has not already persuaded you to support vertical farming here are seven reasons why you should:

1. Fresher product
Despommier points out that if you live in an urban environment away from any farms, most likely your “fresh” store bought fruits and veggies are a week old. Vertical Farming is meant to fill rooftops and building spaces so that food can be interspersed right in your neighborhood.

2. Lower cost of transporting goods
With a vertical farm growing in a building right in your neighborhood, the costs will decrease. More money in your pocket.

3. Green year round

While outdoor farming heeds to the seasons, indoor, sustained vertical farming allows green veggies to grow fresh all year round.

4. Controlled climate
No crop damage due to weather (e.g. droughts, bugs)

5. No pesticides
Since vertical farming is indoors, the little bugs cannot eat up the plants. You don’t have to worry about ingesting unneeded chemicals.

6. More crops
The maximization of space allows for more crops to grow meaning more food to go around.

7. Less water
Agriculture uses 70 percent of our water supply (by the way, you cannot drink runoff water after it has been used). Vertical farms, can release water to the plants then recirculate that water after it is purified.

Is vertical farming costly?

Yes, vertical farming sounds like a great idea, but many people are concerned about the costs. Yes, it can be costly. The benefit of outdoor farming is that sunlight, water, and CO2 are supplied for free. Farming indoors requires these necessities at a cost. For this reason, vertical farming is only being promoted in urban areas or areas where farming is normally difficult because of space.

However, vertical farming is only beginning and with support, it will spur into an efficient and possibly cost-effective means of agriculture.

You can be a vertical farmer at home

You don’t have to wait around for big companies and big brains to figure out vertical farming. Grow fresh veggies in your home through easy DIY gardening tips.

• Reuse plastic bottles: you can be green and grow greens by cutting plastic bottles open and filling them with soil. Then, you can attach them to a piece of wood. This is also possible with mason jars, tea cups, hanging shoe racks, or just about anything in your home that can hold soil.

• Ladder Rack: This wooden rack is appealing to the eye, an added touch to your home and a great way to start growing all the fresh vegetables you need.

Read more about DIY gardening and in home vertical gardening tips.

Vertical Farming is one noteworthy aspect of green building that will change our lives and our food. Becoming LEED Certified will give you the tools you need to join the movement towards sustainable living. It is never too soon to think big or think up ways to help our planet and ourselves. Despommier shows us the value of green building methods and innovative ways to use our infinite resources, taking us to elevated heights way above any of our imaginations.

Are you interested in vertical farming? Check out more at Dickson Despommier’s website.