Vertical Farming - Past, Present, Future

The Build Up

Greenhouses have since the 1800s enabled controlled environments and protection from the external elements, allowing for extended growing seasons and increased yields. Hydroponics, the method of cultivating plants without soil, made its debut in the mid 20^th century. Hydroponics uses a simple solution of nutrient rich water to deliver minerals to plants. It promises exceptionally high yields as well as wonderful consistency, and low resource use.

The first commercial greenhouses using hydroponics began operating in the 1970s, producing an abundance of delicious, high quality and nutrient rich food. Today much of the finest quality veg on the market is produced in this way: tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, herbs. 

The Rise of Vertical Farming

In its next iteration, controlled environment agriculture began its foray into entirely indoor growing. The early 21st century saw the rapid development of vertical farming as technology, thanks to the continued reductions in the cost of LED lighting: the technology that makes the magic of growing indoors work.

Spurred on by the promise of abundant, healthy food, companies and individuals with a forward-thinking mindset have begun designing and building sophisticated vertical farming systems. These systems are often established in urban areas, addressing the challenges of limited arable land and increasing urbanization. The key motivation is to create a reliable food supply entirely independent of climatic conditions.

The Future

The future of vertical farming holds exciting possibilities as technology continues to advance and the need for sustainable and efficient food production grows. Widespread adoption and evolution could have a significant impact on society. 

Vertical farming has the potential to enhance food security by providing a locally sourced and consistent supply of fresh produce. Access to beautiful and tasty locally grown produce year-round provides communities with a unique and diverse culinary experience: it enhances the quality of the local food supply, allowing individuals to enjoy a rich variety of seasonal produce at any time. 

Vertical farming uses 100x less land than arable agriculture, which can reduce pressure on ecosystems and open up land for rewilding. The future abundance of low carbon renewable energy generation will allow us to make large scale zero carbon food production possible.

This promising trajectory suggests that vertical farming could play a crucial role in shaping a future where reliable and environmentally conscious food production meets the needs of an ever-growing global population.