Vertical Farming

What is Vertical Farming?

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The Technology

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Vertical Farms typically consist of either modules (benches) which can be fixed (Horizontal Fixed) or fully mobile (Horizonal Moving) in three dimensions containing either shallow trays containing pots, module trays or similar, stacked over multiple levels within a building or shipping container, or a combination of suspended channels or other suspended modules, moveable or fixed (Vertical Vertical) lit with LED lighting at each level. Most vertical farms have no windows and some are underground. Generally, the vertical farm building comprises a purpose built clear span structure with insulated internal sub-buildings containing the vertical growing systems.

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Vertical Farms must supply everything – water, nutrients, light, CO2 and possibly pollinators and pest control too. Others might be built in massive greenhouses – making the most of the Sun's light and heat, but still controlling other inputs like water.

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While sometimes soil is used, increasingly vertical farms use hydroponic or aeroponic systems, where water (for hydroponics) or water vapour (for aeroponics) infused with nutrients is circulated directly around the roots of the plant.

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Vertical Farms can considerably reduce both the water and fertilisers needed to grow food. Meanwhile, the closed-off, controlled environment of vertical farms can help with pest and disease mitigation.

 

The technology can also allow crops to grow in locations where conventional farming is not possible. Astronauts on the International Space Station, for example, are growing their own food in soilless systems under LED lights.

 

More generally, though, the small amount of land needed for vertical farms means food can be grown near to cities. Shorter supply chains improve both food security and the quality of food. It would also result in reduced food miles than many imported alternatives and help to guarantee the provenance of crops, while also reducing the burden on natural resources like soil, water and the atmosphere. With advanced plant science, crops can be engineered to be healthier and tastier.

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