Growing Upwards: Vertical Farming’s Role in Feeding the Future
The future of food is taking root in unexpected places—urban centers, vertical spaces, and even classrooms. This week, we delve into the world of urban and vertical farming, where technology and innovation are reshaping how and where we grow food. Our featured article spotlights Bowery, the USA’s largest vertical farming company, as it reimagines the food supply chain to ensure sustainability and resilience amidst growing climate challenges. Through AI and robotics, Bowery offers a glimpse into a future where fresh, nutritious produce is grown closer to the consumer, using fewer resources.
In Essential Reads, we explore diverse initiatives that push the boundaries of urban agriculture, from container farms in New Mexico to a hydroponic classroom in New York City. These stories showcase how innovative techniques like LED optimization and Digital Twin technology are making agriculture more efficient, sustainable, and accessible to urban communities.
In our Research Corner, we examine a study on dynamic incentives in contract farming, which sheds light on how carefully crafted agreements can drive sustainable productivity. By fostering long-term buyer-farmer relationships, this research highlights pathways to improve food security and equitable growth in agricultural value chains.
Let’s delve into the innovations transforming urban farming and discover how these advancements are paving the way for a regenerative, resilient food system.
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Featured Article:
In a world grappling with the consequences of climate change, the fragility of traditional agriculture has become increasingly apparent. Extreme weather events, dwindling crop yields, and disruptions to food availability pose significant challenges to global food security. In response, Bowery, the USA’s largest vertical farming company, offers an innovative solution that transforms the way we grow and deliver fresh produce. Through digital technology, robotics, and AI, Bowery’s vertical farms ensure consistent, sustainable food production independent of weather or seasonality.
In a recent Forbes article, Irving Fain, Founder and CEO of Bowery, shares his vision for reimagining the fresh food supply chain. By growing crops indoors under precisely controlled conditions, Bowery reduces water usage by 95% and eliminates the need for pesticides, all while delivering fresher, more nutritious produce. Fain emphasizes that vertical farming is not just a technological advancement but a necessity for creating a resilient and efficient food system in the face of climate challenges.
Read more: Vertical Farming Company Bowery Is Reimagining the Fresh Food Supply Chain
Essential Reads:
Container Farming Innovation
New Mexico State University (NMSU)’s Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems develops container farms to grow crops year-round using fewer resources. Initiated in 2021 with Tri-State Generation, the project now expands to NMSU’s Las Cruces campus, showcasing innovative, controlled-environment agriculture.
Read more: NMSU researchers look to support ‘container farms’
Urban Farming Progress
Siberian and Belarusian scientists collaborate to enhance urban farming through digital innovation, focusing on multi-tiered cultivation, LED module optimization, and Digital Twin technology. Supported by Russia’s Ministry of Science, the project improves lettuce yields, energy efficiency, and product quality in vertical farms.
Hydroponic Classroom Launch
School in New York (named PS/IS 78Q) in Long Island City unveils a hydroponic classroom farm, blending STEM education with sustainability. Funded by Council Member Julie Won and implemented by NY Sun Works, it teaches students urban farming, climate impact, and sustainability. Weekly specialist visits ensure hands-on learning and system maintenance.
Urban Farming Policy Boost
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces $14.4M for urban agriculture, including $2.5M in Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) Grants for hydroponics, vertical farming, and food systems, and $11.9M for Urban Agriculture Conservation Educators to assist producers. These initiatives aim to enhance local food production, sustainability, and equity nationwide.
Read more: Government invests in urban farming expansion
Swansea’s Living Building
Swansea’s innovative “living building” features biophilic walls, rooftop gardens, a vertical urban farm, and green energy systems. Combining residential, commercial, and educational spaces, it promotes sustainability, biodiversity, and climate education. The project, supported by Clinton Global Initiative, aims to create a nature-centered, eco-friendly community.
From Traphouse to Greenhouse
Fayetteville nonprofit Er’Body Eatz, led by Chef J’Kwan Fulmore, transforms foreclosed properties into urban gardens through its “From Traphouse to Greenhouse” initiative. Using vertical gardening and hydroponics, the program tackles food insecurity, revitalizes neighborhoods, and fosters community pride.
NYC Urban Agriculture Map
The Mayor’s Office of Urban Agriculture (MOUA) launches the Urban Agriculture Data Explorer Hub, an interactive mapping tool featuring nearly 3,000 NYC urban farms and gardens. It enhances data access, supports policy, and fosters community engagement to address food insecurity and promote sustainability.
Read more: NYC Urban Agriculture Data Convening Launches Interactive Mapping Tool For City Farming
Research Corner:
A study published in Production and Operations Management explores how dynamic incentives in contract farming can drive sustainable productivity and shared value. The researchers developed a game-theoretic model to address challenges where farmers hold superior information and can invest effort over time to enhance productivity. By integrating performance pay and deferred payments, the study outlines optimal contracts that promote honesty, learning, and improved productivity, even under uncertain yields. Real-world data demonstrated the significant learning effects and highlighted the value of long-term buyer-farmer relationships for both parties. The findings suggest that traditional policies favoring spot transactions may hinder the potential of modern agrifood value chains.
Read more: Dynamic incentives for sustainable contract farming
The regenerative business practices and sustainability innovations highlighted in this week's Regenerative Insights directly tackle the critical issues of corporate responsibility explored in my recent book explored in my recent book, The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profit and Socializes Cost.
Quick Takeaways:
Container Farming: A university innovates year-round farming with fewer resources.
Digital Farming: Siberian scientists boost urban yields with advanced tech.
Hydroponics in Schools: NYC integrates STEM and sustainability via classroom farms.
Funding for Urban Ag: A $14.4M funding in urban farming and food systems.
Eco-Friendly Living: Swansea's “living building” combines farming and green energy.
Urban Renewal: Fayetteville nonprofit turns abandoned lots into gardens.
NYC Farm Map: New tool tracks nearly 3,000 urban farms for policy and engagement.