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Indoor Farming Leaders Unite to Build a National Powerhouse

Written by Industry News Release on . Posted in Blog.

Combined company unites complementary strengths in technology, operations, and retail distribution, serving over 17,000 storefronts across the U.S.

80 Acres Farms® and Soli Organic® announced a strategic merger to form one of the world’s largest and most advanced indoor farming networks, bringing together decades of leadership in indoor farming. The newly formed company, with projected first-year revenues approaching $200 million, will operate under the 80 Acres Farms name and be headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio

“Vertical farming is entering the next phase of business maturity, and it’s about execution, efficiency, and results,” said Mike Zelkind, co-founder of 80 Acres Farms and CEO of the combined company. “This merger unites two top operators that, together, have the scale, economics, and teams to deliver the results that the industry has been waiting for. Both companies have spent decades developing enhanced technology, improving operations, and building winning brands. Our value proposition is clear: fresher, better-tasting produce that’s pesticide- and heavy metal-free, locally grown, climate-resilient, and built for shelf life.”

“This merger is a win for forward-thinking retailers and the customers they serve,” said Walter Robb, former co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, current co-chairman of Soli Organic, and a board member of the combined company. “Retailers today want differentiated products, surety of supply, and a compelling story. Given recent trade volatility, indoor agriculture is playing an increasingly important role for retailers. The combined company checks all the boxes: great product quality, increased product portfolio, supply chain resilience, and enhanced customer choice through both vertical farming and field-grown organic products.”

The merger combines 80 Acres Farms’ GroLoop™ platform, an integrated system of hardware, software, and environmental controls designed for precision, automation, and scalability across the entire farm network, with Soli Organic’s longstanding retail footprint and agronomic expertise, developed over more than 35 years of commercial production.

Deal highlights:

  • National scale and reach. Building on Soli’s existing commercial strength, the company will serve more than 17,000 retail locations across the U.S., supported by a farm and logistics network designed for regional redundancy and just-in-time delivery.

  • Clear path to continued growth. With seven nationally distributed vertical farms, the company has the capacity to grow 15-20 million pounds of fresh produce annually, meeting current customer demand while leaving room for retail expansion.

  • Diversified, high-velocity product portfolio. From salad blends and salad kits to a full line of herbs to tomatoes and microgreens, the company will offer a wide range of fresh, clean, ready-to-eat products tailored to retail, convenience, and foodservice needs.

  • Proven technology and data platform. The Infinite Acres® GroLoop™ platform integrates engineering, biology, and technology to deliver precise environmental control. It enables higher yields, better flavor, and consistent quality while minimizing input costs. AI-powered insights improve crop optimization, forecasting, inventory planning, and distribution, reducing waste and boosting supply chain responsiveness. Soli Organic’s proprietary organic growing system, developed over decades of commercial production, complements GroLoop’s capabilities to create one of the most reliable and efficient platforms in the industry.

  • Operational depth and experience. The integration unites veteran teams in engineering, plant science, operations, and food safety, strengthening the company’s technical foundation and accelerating innovation across the network. It also unites proven branding, marketing, and merchandising capabilities to support long-term retail growth and customer engagement. The merger will benefit from strategic investments over the past 18 months—a salad dressing line from Reunion Foods, the Israeli biotech company Plantae Biosciences, and facilities and IP from vertical farming pioneer Kalera—that have strengthened the company’s capabilities and prepared it for further growth.

  • End-to-end supply chain efficiency. With vertically integrated operations and real-time visibility, the combined company will reduce food waste, improve freshness, and deliver consistent, reliable service nationwide.

“GroLoop was built to adapt and scale across crops, climates, and facility types,” said Tisha Livingston, co-founder of 80 Acres Farms and CEO of Infinite Acres, the company’s tech-focused subsidiary. “By combining it with Soli’s reach, experience, and knowledge in agronomy, we’re able to move faster, work smarter, and deliver more value across the entire supply chain.”

“I spent the first part of my career helping build some of the most advanced greenhouse systems in the world,” said Ulf Jonsson, a founder of Soli Organic. “But we’ve moved beyond what greenhouses can deliver. I’ve said for years, ‘The sun is free, but it’s not worth the cost.’ Vertical farms offer greater consistency, quality, and yield. I’m excited about combining two leading technologies to create the system that will define the next generation of indoor agriculture.”

The combined company’s growing and distribution capabilities are matched by deep experience in branding, merchandising, and customer service. With a unified team and proven technology, the company is positioned to lead the next phase of growth in indoor agriculture with a steady supply of the cleanest produce in the marketplace, including USDA Organic herbs and salads free from pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

Verbitsky Capital served as financial advisor to Soli Organic.

About 80 Acres Farms
80 Acres Farms is a vertical farming leader based in Hamilton, Ohio. Founded by Mike Zelkind and Tisha Livingston in 2015, the company operates indoor farms powered by Infinite Acres’ GroLoop™ technology platform. Using 100% renewable electricity and 95% less water per pound of produce, the company’s farms deliver pesticide-free, longer-lasting harvests while reducing food waste. 80 Acres Farms’ branded salads, salad kits, herbs, microgreens, and dressings are available at retailers and restaurants across the United States.

About Soli Organic
Soli Organic Inc., founded in 1989, is the nation’s leading indoor organic agriculture company dedicated to high-quality, high value, sustainably grown, 100% USDA Certified Organic produce. As the category leader in fresh, organic culinary herbs, Soli Organic serves thousands of retail doors and 70% of the top ten retailers. Soli Organic continues to redefine how to bring produce to market, operating across a nationally integrated platform of farms, production, and logistics facilities.

The Auburn University College of Agriculture has significantly expanded its Transformation Garden and FoodU program with the integration of an advanced container farming suite from indoor agriculture leader, AmplifiedAg.

 Auburn University Expands Food and Agriculture Innovation with Advanced Vertical Farming Facility

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog.

The Auburn University College of Agriculture has significantly expanded its Transformation Garden and FoodU program with the integration of an advanced container farming suite from indoor agriculture leader, AmplifiedAg. This expansion enhances Auburn’s 16-acre Transformation Garden research and education facility by incorporating cutting-edge vertical farming systems to support multidisciplinary agricultural education, research, and food production initiatives.

The newly installed container farm infrastructure comprises three AmplifiedAg container farms: one AmpVPS (Vertical Propagation System) unit, two NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) container farms optimized for leafy green production, and a fourth unit repurposed as a food-safe cold storage facility. This comprehensive setup enables students to engage in real-world vertical farming systems for both plant propagation and full-cycle crop production.
“We’re honored to be partners with Auburn University’s FoodU and Transformation Garden. These progressive programs are designed to immerse students in a fully integrated, industry-relevant agricultural ecosystem—combining plant science, technology, supply chain logistics, and food systems management,” said David Flynn, CEO of AmplifiedAg.

 

Read full article from Vertical Farm Daily

CEA Alliance Announces 2025 Board of Directors

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog.

Enhancing Leadership to Support Continued Growth for Indoor-Grown Produce

Washington, D.C. – The Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance (CEA Alliance) has announced its new officers and members of its Board of Directors for 2025.

Taking on the role of board chair is Steve Campione, chief financial officer of BrightFarms, formerly vice chair of the board. Campione has served as CFO of BrightFarms for over seven years, where he is the principal architect behind the company’s strategy to develop highly automated, large-scale regional greenhouses across the Midwest, Southeast, and Texas. Prior to joining BrightFarms, Campione spent nearly nine years as CFO and COO of Rural Media Group, a leading media company dedicated to serving the agricultural community. Since joining BrightFarms, Campione has been actively engaged in efforts to improve the visibility of controlled environment agriculture and has been an advocate for the industry at both the state and federal levels.

New members joining the board include Jamie Burrows, founder and CEO of Vertical Future; David Einstandig, senior vice president/general counsel of Mastronardi Produce; Kyle Freedman, global market segment manager of Jiffy Group; Skip Hulett, chief legal officer of NatureSweet; and Tim Reusch, national sales manager of Dramm Water.

Burrows is a British/American health economist with a background in healthcare, life sciences and economic regeneration. Prior to establishing Vertical Future in 2016, Burrows worked in EY’s EMEIA Life Sciences team, transitioning from a similar role at Deloitte, where he was also seconded to the Department of Health. Burrows is a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. He also attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and graduated from its Leadership Enrichment and Development (LEAD) program.

Einstandig is a member of the Mastronardi executive leadership team that oversees the management of all company operations. He provides management and oversight of Legal, Food Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, Government Regulation, and Immigration Departments. Since joining Mastronardi in 2016, Einstandig has played a key role in expanding Mastronardi’s North American footprint. His extensive experience includes overseeing intellectual property and trademarks, managing corporate acquisitions and spearheading government relations. He received his Juris Doctorate Law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.

Freedman is the global market segment manager CEA for Jiffy Group, responsible for providing technical guidance and support to Jiffy’s global CEA customers, supporting new product development and helping to provide flexible and sustainable growing solutions. Freedman holds a Bachelor of Art in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned his Master of Science in international agriculture development from the University of California at Davis and his doctorate in horticultural science from North Carolina State University, where his research focused on the development of a new CEA grapevine production system called Precise Indoor Vine Conditioning (PIVC) in which young grapevines are conditioned with supplemental light to produce fruit in their first season of field transplanting.

Hulett currently serves as chief legal 0fficer for Texas-based NatureSweet, a leading U.S. CEA company. Over the years, Hulett has repeatedly distinguished himself as the chief legal counsel of fast-growing entrepreneurial companies, a state district court judge and the founder of a successful law firm. Since joining NatureSweet in 2018, Hulett has led many of the company’s key initiatives, including its B-Corp Certification, becoming the largest CEA company in the world to be B-Corp certified. He is currently a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Reusch is the national sales manager for Dramm Water, a division of the Dramm Corporation. Reusch is a CEA specialist with a background in sustainable cropping systems, emphasizing hydroponic crop production, water management and integrated pest management. He has a Master of Science in sustainable food systems. He is passionate about ensuring community access to local, healthy food and working with cultivators to implement a holistic water management design.

Members with continuing Board service include Tim Cunniff, co-founder and executive vice president of sales for Little Leaf Farms, who will continue as treasurer; Dane Almassy, senior vice president of sales for Customer Logistics and Marketing, AeroFarms; Monica Noble, vice president of quality and safety for 80 Acres; Craig Hurlbert, founder and CEO of Local Bounti.

Also remaining on the board as past chair is Dan Malech, acting CEO of Plenty, who has completed his term.

“I want to thank Dan for his service chairing the Alliance, as we’ve made great strides under his leadership. I’d also like to welcome Steve to the Chairmanship and all of our new and continuing board members. The CEA Alliance and the entire indoor farming sector are fortunate to have all of these business leaders helping guide our industry into the future,” said Tom Stenzel, executive director of the CEA Alliance.

CEA AllianceABOUT CEA ALLIANCE
The Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance (CEA Alliance) is a membership trade association representing and serving vertical farms and greenhouse producers growing fruits and vegetables in a highly controlled indoor production environment. Controlled environment growers employ a variety of agricultural production methods and technology to create optimal growing conditions with rigorous environmental controls. Growers utilize innovative technologies such as hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, and soil-based systems to grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. For more information, please contact Tom Stenzel, Executive Director, at Tom@CEAAlliance.com.

Get Ready to Grow Smarter: CEA Summit East 2025 Returns to Virginia This September

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

Growers, Researchers, and Industry Pros Come Together September 9-10 to Share  Ideas, Spark Connections, and Move CEA Forward

 The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East will return to the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, Virginia on September 9-10, 2025 for its fourth edition. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center, a partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech, the 2025 event will once again bring together professionals from across the CEA spectrum—academia, business, and technology—for two days of education, networking, and exploration of the future of indoor farming.

Building on the success of the 2024 summit, which welcomed attendees from 35 U.S. states and international markets including Canada, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong, the 2025 event will feature an expanded conference program with key educational tracks:

  • CEA Skills (topics like lighting, IPM, food safety, environmental controls, and pathogen ID)
  • Business (budgeting, operations, labor management)
  • Education, Outreach & Workforce Training (K-12 programs, CEA degree paths, training initiatives)

The popular CEA Industry & Research Showcase sessions also return to the agenda, spotlighting case studies and research from leading growers and academic teams. Attendees can also look forward to inspiring keynotes (to be announced soon), tabletop exhibits, networking opportunities and tours of the CEA Innovation Center.

In addition to educational sessions and networking, attendees will have the opportunity to explore tabletop exhibits featuring the latest innovations, products, and services driving the CEA sector forward. Exhibitors include industry leaders like Priva, Pace 49, Atlas Greenhouse, Rimol Greenhouse Systems, SGS, and Green Food Solutions.. These suppliers offer solutions spanning environmental controls, crop protection, structures, testing, and more—giving attendees a hands-on look at the tools shaping the future of indoor growing.

“CEA Summit East has become a key annual event for connecting the dots between industry and academia,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “Whether you’re a grower, educator, researcher, supplier, or policymaker, the 2025 summit offers a wonderful opportunity to learn, network, and move the needle forward for controlled environment agriculture.”

Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at IALR and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center, added, “The 2025 Summit will build on the momentum we’ve created over the past three years. We’re excited to welcome new voices, and continue to support the industry’s growth through innovation and shared knowledge.”

Registration, speaking opportunities, and tabletop exhibit space applications are now open.  For more details and updates, visit the event website www.ceasummit.com

About Indoor Ag-Con:
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. For more information, visit www.indoor.ag

About the CEA Innovation Center:
The Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is a joint project between Virginia Tech, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), and industry that is working to advance the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector in Virginia, the U.S., and internationally through leveraging its collective resources, skills, and expertise by addressing the needs of the industry with   research, education, and extension programs. For more information, visit www.ceaic.org 

The Packer: Indoor Ag-Con State Of The Industry Highlights Challenges and Change

Written by Jennifer Strailey The Packer on . Posted in Blog.

From The Packer, March 13, 2025 | By Jennifer Strailey — The state of the industry keynote at Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, explored the industry’s past and present challenges, “transformative change,” success stories and more.

The state of the industry keynote at Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, explored the industry’s past and present challenges, ‘transformative change,’ success stories and more.

Moderated by Tom Stenzel, executive director of the CEA Alliance, the discussion featured panelists from three different business models of controlled environment agriculture: vertical farming; semi-closed, greenhouse-grown salads; and greenhouse-grown tomatoes.

Panelists including Tisha Livingston, president and co-founder of 80 Acres and CEO of Infinite Acres; Abby Prior, chief commercial officer for BrightFarms; and Skip Hullett, vice president and general counsel for NatureSweet, shared their challenges and triumphs in an industry that has suffered setbacks in recent years.

80 Acres/Infinite Acres
Hamilton, Ohio-based 80 Acres is a vertical farming company producing a range of salads, microgreens, herbs and tomatoes. In an industry where some have focused too heavily on tech in favor of farming, Livingston and her business partner, who co-founded the company in 2015, had the vision to separate the farming and tech sides of the business.

“When we started the company, we recognized that growing and being grower-centric was very important,” she said. “Building out the technology was also important, but they were very different skill sets. So, we created these two companies.”

NatureSweet
Based in San Antonio, Texas, NatureSweet, is a greenhouse tomato grower that owns over 1,500 acres of greenhouse space, has 12 production facilities in Arizona and across Mexico, and distributes its products to retailers nationwide. Best known for its Cherubs snacking tomatoes, the company also grows peppers and cucumbers.

“We’re vertically integrated, so we’re kind of unique in our industry,” said Hullett. “We call it: from seed to smile. We grow, plant, harvest and package.”

BrightFarms
BrightFarms is a controlled environment agriculture grower based in Irvington, N.Y.

“We have a network of farms that support our national customers,” said Prior. “Over the last year, we’ve built three new farms in Illinois, Texas and Georgia, which combined make the largest network of semi-closed, high-tech greenhouses for leafy greens here in the U.S.”

BrightFarms takes a regional approach to grow locally and create regional supply chains and supply hubs for salads across the country, Prior said. The company was acquired by Cox Enterprises in 2021 and is now part of the platform of Cox Farms greenhouse growers that includes Mucci Farms.

Read full story from The Packer

Beyond the Hype: What It Really Takes to Grow Strawberries in TCEA

Written by Katia Zacharaki InnoPhyte Consulting on . Posted in Blog.

When we hear about Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) and strawberries, there is a big buzz and excitement surrounding it. This is because TCEA is a somewhat costly agri-technology, requiring significant investment and precision, and strawberries as a crop need loads of TLC. While early adopters of vertical farming/TCEA focused primarily on leafy greens and microgreens, growers seeking high-profitability crops have turned to strawberries as a promising option.

Strawberries in TCEA: An Opportunity for Year-Round Production

Strawberry consumption could be year-round, but due to climatic restrictions such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight availability, it is not always possible. TCEA solves this problem by ensuring continuous production, making fresh fruit available regardless of geographic location and season. At the same time, strawberries offer a strong diversification option for vertical farming companies looking to expand beyond greens.

Challenges and Failures in TCEA Strawberry Production

Ferme GUSH farm; Montreal based, pesticide-free TCEA strawberry farm using substrate-free cultivation method.

While the potential for strawberries in TCEA is high, there have been significant failures among new entrants. Many startups enter the industry with ambitious goals and high expectations but fail to achieve them because they neglect the advice of horticulturists, plant scientists, and experienced strawberry growers. Often, the neglected advice relates to infrastructure (growing system) and tech decision-making (HVAC, LEDs etc), but also plant-related decisions, such as what type of soilless method will be used (substrate, NFT, etc.) and what pest management plan will be followed (use of only bio-control or also conventional pesticides), among many other factors.

Strawberries may seem like an ideal candidate for vertical farming due to their plant structure, but their infrastructure requirements, environmental control needs, and necessary husbandry practices differ significantly from leafy greens and microgreens. Underestimating these differences has led to many unsuccessful ventures.

Often, new entrants into vertical farming come from engineering or financial backgrounds and assume that growing plants follows simple mathematical equations. However, biology does not work like engineering—in any biological process, 1 + 1 does not always equal 2; sometimes it equals 0.5, and other times it equals 4. Many engineers struggle to understand the deep impact environmental factors have on plant performance, and those who fail to recognise the variability of biological systems often fail in strawberry TCEA production. This reinforces the need to consider the expertise and advice of plant scientists and experienced growers.

Cultivar Selection vs. Crop Management x Environment

A common question in the industry is: “What is the best cultivar to grow in TCEA?” Many people assume that cultivar selection is the most important factor, but they forget that genetics alone do not determine success.

The management of the crop and the environmental conditions impact gene expression, yield, and fruit quality. Even if growers select a high-yielding, high-brix cultivar, it will not perform well unless environmental conditions, crop care, and husbandry practices are optimised. Strawberries, unlike leafy greens, require much more in-house experience to detect early issues before sensors pick them up.

KropAI, an India-based startup, expanding its focus beyond leafy greens and microgreens to explore strawberry cultivation.

Advice for Startups: Rather than focusing solely on cultivar selection, new entrants should work with any strawberry variety available to them at the time, consult their propagators and suppliers, and prioritise obtaining healthy, high-quality plants—even if they are not the ideal variety at first. If startups discuss their specific TCEA system with suppliers, they can receive the best possible plants based on availability. Once major management and environmental factors are finalised, then it is the right time to focus on cultivar selection.

Pollination in TCEA Strawberry Cultivation

Pollination presents a frequent challenge in TCEA strawberry farming. In polytunnels and glasshouses, growers rely on natural pollinators or commercially supplied bumblebee hives. However, in TCEA environments, where LEDs are the sole source of lighting, pollination strategies must be carefully managed.

Many growers struggle with using bumblebees in TCEA, despite the fact that the absence of UV light is not necessarily a limiting factor. However, bee well-being and factors such as dawn and dusk lighting conditions, hive placement, and transportation play a major role in pollination success.

Additionally, multi-focal artificial light sources can trigger object-avoidance behaviour in bumblebees, making them expend extra energy as they mistake static objects for moving ones. This results in energy loss and premature bee deaths.

While many growers have successfully integrated bumblebee pollination into TCEA, variability of hive “personality” (yes; they have personality) and delivery conditions remains an uncontrolled factor. Alternative pollinators, such as hoverflies, offer promising solutions but are not yet widely available commercially.

Energy Challenges in TCEA Strawberry Production

Energy costs remain one of the most significant challenges in TCEA strawberry production. Running a fully controlled environment requires high electricity consumption, particularly for LED lighting, climate control, and dehumidification systems. These energy demands make production expensive, particularly in regions with high electricity prices.

FlexFarming grow room implementing the “Farm-as-a-Battery” concept, dynamically adjusting energy consumption in response to next day’s energy prices.

To mitigate these costs, some growers are exploring alternative and renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal power, to reduce reliance on grid electricity. Additionally, energy brokerage deals and dynamic pricing models—where growers adjust their energy consumption based on fluctuating electricity prices—are being tested. However, the long-term impact of adjusting energy inputs on fruit quality, yield, and consistency is still unknown. Finding the right balance between energy efficiency and crop performance remains a key research priority.

More development in energy sourcing is needed before TCEA strawberry production becomes widely profitable, apart from regions where energy prices are already low. Investments in energy-efficient technologies, such as advanced insulation, heat recovery systems, and smart climate control algorithms, will be crucial to improving the economic viability of TCEA strawberries in the future.

The Challenges of Strawberry Propagation in TCEA

Strawberries are traditionally propagated asexually through runners to maintain genetic consistency. However, this propagation process has traditionally taken place outdoors, where plants pick up pests and diseases that later enter growing systems.

For TCEA growers, maintaining a pesticide-free environment is a priority, making young plants with inherited pest and diseases a major issue. While propagators do their best to supply clean plants, the problem is systemic throughout the industry, as plants are grown outdoor in soil and sand.

To address this, the industry is exploring propagation alternatives, including:

  • Asexual propagation using tissue culture plants as starting material for mother plants.
  • Tissue cultured plants used as fruiting plants, bypassing the mother plant stage.
  • F1 hybrid seeds as an alternative propagation method.
    Strawberry propagation in TCEA at Niab, UK; using the mother plants, harvesting daughter plants from runner and growing them in TCEA until ready for chilling. Part of a £1.8M, 3-year Innovate UK consortium project exploring the potential of TCEA for high-health plants.

    While these methods hold promise, each requires specialised knowledge and infrastructure. New startups should avoid getting involved in propagation initially, as it is far more complex than fruit production and could overcomplicate operations in the early stages.

The Future of Strawberries in TCEA

Many companies are now successfully growing strawberries in TCEA, but approaches vary:

  • Premium niche markets: High-end, specialty strawberries in bespoke packaging targeting luxury consumers.
  • Commodity markets: Large-scale strawberry production for supermarkets, aiming to compete with glasshouse-grown strawberries.

While it is possible to grow strawberries profitably in TCEA, gaps in industry knowledge remain. Many new entrants seek specific growing parameters, such as light spectrum, intensity, and photoperiods. However, this data is scarce, as most strawberry cultivation research has been done in polytunnels and glasshouses, or not done at all, as the knowledge of the effects of light on plants was not a very useful thing to know, or they could not really do anything even if they knew more about it.

Japanese cultivars propagated and grown for fruit at Aloalto’s facilities in Barcelona, supplying high-end strawberries directly to restaurants and consumers.

Bridging the Knowledge Gap

Key gaps in scientific knowledge regarding strawberry cultivation include:

  • A deeper understanding of light requirements across different cultivars, including photoperiod, light intensity, spectrum, and how these factors change throughout developmental stages.
  • The precise chilling requirements for each individual cultivar.
  • A detailed understanding of the specific environmental conditions necessary to trigger flower initiation in different cultivars.

Since most historical research has focused on sunlight-grown strawberries, the industry must invest in new studies to gather this crucial information. However, startups are not those to have to conduct such research, as it requires rigorous experimental design, data collection, and significant resources. This is an area where larger research organisations must step in, with potentially public funding.

Final Thoughts

There is a growing movement toward TCEA strawberry production, both for fruiting and propagation stages. However, to ensure long-term success, new entrants must learn from past failures. By consulting plant scientists, embracing biological variability, and avoiding over-reliance on engineering solutions, while addressing energy challenges, the industry can make TCEA strawberries a widespread success.

If startups trust plant scientists and experienced horticulturists, rather than solely relying on financial models and engineering logic, TCEA strawberries will become far more successful than they are today.

About InnoPhyte Consulting

InnoPhyte Consulting, founded by Katia Zacharaki, is a dynamic firm dedicated to advancing AgriTech innovation, with a strong background in Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA), particularly for greens and strawberries. InnoPhyte offers a unique “Science-as-a-Service” approach, providing flexible support to companies with their research needs, data analysis, report and presentation creation, grant writing, market analysis, LCAs and project management. Specialising in assisting small and medium enterprises, InnoPhyte helps bridge the gap between scientific expertise and practical application, driving success in the AgriTech sector. Visit InnoPhyte.co.uk or email us at hello@innophyte.co.uk.

Will 2025 Be Déjà Vu All Over Again for the Indoor Farming Sector

Written by Adam Bergman, EcoTech Capital on . Posted in Blog.

Growing food outdoors shows no sign of getting easier, given the volatility of the weather, and the situation is predicted only to get worse due to the impact of climate change. One would expect the indoor farming sector would be poised to benefit, as its advantages would seem to be obvious. However, although the indoor farming sector made progress with increasing production, expanding into new retailers, and growing market share with consumers, 2024 will go down as potentially the worst year for indoor farming companies, particularly vertical farms, as most struggled to achieve profitability at the product, farm and/or corporate level. After having raised almost $8 billion globally between 2018 – 2022, indoor farming companies have failed to raise even $1 billion since 2022, and the financing environment for 2025 doesn’t look much better.

Difficult Times for Vertical Farming Companies

Emblematic of the challenges in 2024 were the bankruptcy of vertical farming companies Bowery Farming and Smallhold, as well as Plenty’s decision to close its Compton, CA farm, which produced leafy greens. The growing number of bankruptcies and companies shuttering farms and total operations is leading many people to ask whether the vertical farming sector is viable. Although this is a fair question, since no vertical farming companies have achieved sustained profitability yet and many have struggled even to achieve positive unit economics, I argue it is too early to give up on this sector. Vertical farming companies did have some wins in 2024: 80 Acres announced $140 million worth of public bonds from Boone County, KY, to expand its facility near Florence, KY; Oishii announced a $150 million Series B financing to build a new strawberry farm; and Plenty opened its Richmond, VA strawberry facility, which will be the largest vertical farm producer of strawberries globally.

Greenhouse Companies Showing Mixed Results

2024 was a better year for the U.S. greenhouse industry: BrightFarms opened 3 new large farms in the U.S. and its parent company, Cox Farms became the largest U.S. greenhouse operator, as it surpassed over 700 acres; Gotham Greens’ annual production capacity reached ~100 million heads of lettuce per year and its products are available at retail locations across all 50 states; and having completed an expansion to its McAdoo, PA facility, Little Leaf Farms claims to be the largest indoor producer of lettuce in the U.S. However, it was not all positive, as Revol Greens reduced or closed facilities due to a more competitive economic environment, and it is not long since the 2023 bankruptcy of AppHarvest.

Furthermore, the greenhouse industry struggles with many of the same challenges faced by vertical farms, as few companies are profitable, and increased production is already leading to a price war in some regions that will make it even more difficult for companies to achieve profitability. Also, greenhouse providers have started closing older farms that were proving uneconomical.

Outdoor Farming Challenges Create Opportunities

There are many reasons for concern about the viability of indoor farming, but I remain optimistic that in the mid- to long-term, the positive factors outweigh the negative. The indoor farming sector is at a major disadvantage compared to the outdoor growers, due to its small scale and higher-cost capital expenditure on buildings and HVAC systems, as well as needing more electricity for heating and cooling. However, the traditional produce sector also is facing major headwinds.

Every year concerns increase about growing outdoors, including: destructive weather events, water availability, increasing resistance of pests and weeds to traditional crop chemicals, and soil degradation, as well as labor availability, costs, and turnover, which all put surety of supply at risk, and could spell catastrophe.  Shifting consumer preferences to organic and more sustainably grown produce is a trend that seems to be gaining momentum, as more consumers learn about all the crop chemicals (fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides) applied to crops grown outdoors, and the impact on their health.

Additionally, there is now the real risk that the U.S. could enter a long and protracted trade war with Canada, Mexico and other major suppliers of produce to the U.S., as a result of tariffs implemented on goods being imported into the U.S. It is not out of the realm of possibilities that even if the U.S. and Mexico don’t enter a trade war, the Trump administration could look to decrease the amount of produce imported into the U.S., under its America First policies. As it is unlikely that U.S. outdoor produce growers could make up for lost imported products, seeing there has be a growing trend of offshoring, particularly for produce that California is known for, it would create an opportunity for the indoor farming sector.

Security of Supply

Consequently, surety of supply is becoming a focus for retailers and a topic that continues to offer one of the biggest hopes for the indoor farming sector. Although today there is not a significant issue with U.S. produce availability, we have witnessed produce supply challenges in other countries, including the U.K., where some grocery retailers rationed how much produce consumers could buy. The U.S. is not immune from food rationing and product scarcity, as we currently are seeing this situation play out with eggs and a couple of years ago there were similar issues with baby formula. It doesn’t take many disruptions in the supply chain to impact food security, especially when a growing percentage of the products need to be imported.

Whereas surety of supply is still a longer-term concern for U.S. retailers, it is already an issue for Canada, which imports over 90% of its leafy greens from the U.S., most traveling thousands of miles from California and Arizona. Canada is taking a more aggressive posture toward food security, especially with a looming trade war with the U.S., where grocery retailers are in active discussion with indoor farming companies, and local and federal governments are providing economic support for the indoor farming sector, evident by Farm Credit Canada’s recent investment in GoodLeaf Farms. In fact, government support, whether coming from the federal, state/provincial, or local level, is increasing, as indoor farming is seen as a means of job creation in local communities, as well as hedge against food insecurity.

Make America Healthy Again

The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, expected in the near future, could provide the indoor farming sector with a boost. Average life expectancy in the U.S. has plateaued and U.S. healthcare spending reached over $3 trillion in 2023, underlying the urgency to focus on the types and quality of food we consume. Today, there is a health crisis in the U.S. due to obesity, which needs to be addressed. 40% of all adult Americans are obese (30-40 BMI), and 9% are severely obese (40+ BMI), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which equates to almost 125 million Americans. Consequently, it will be interesting to see what policies are implemented by RFK, Jr., who has strongly advocated for his idea to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) by reducing processed foods and eliminating added fats, starches, and sugars, as well as food dyes and additives banned in other countries, and pushing for increased consumption of healthier, more nutrient dense foods.

Furthermore, RFK, Jr. has also called for the reduction or elimination of crops chemicals used to grow agricultural products, especially specialty produce, which is typically eaten raw, rather than being processed. There is a growing movement among U.S. states, including California, Maryland, Oregon and Washington, to pass legislation banning the use of certain crop chemicals. It is likely that these and other states will continue pushing forward with banning more crop chemicals this year. As the biologicals already on the market, the current replacement for crop chemicals, are less effective, there likely will be a yield reduction necessitating the need for additional production locations to meet consumer demand.

New Product Offerings

Although indoor farming companies initially focused production on cannabis, cucumbers, leafy greens, and tomatoes, now, thanks to technology innovation in automation & robotics, HVAC systems, LEDs, and seed genetics, the sector is beginning to expand into a broader product portfolio of higher-margin crops, including berries, coffee, microgreens, forestry products, specialty ingredients and pharmaceuticals. Product diversification, especially for vertical farms, is key, as this ability to fully control the climate provides a huge advantage in a world where weather volatility significantly hampers outdoor growers.

Despite my optimism for the future of this sector, I expect 2025 to bring further bankruptcies and farm closures, especially for companies unable to achieve positive cash flow and profitability that are running out of funding, since the equity capital markets are likely to be closed for unprofitable companies. The year ahead brings tremendous uncertainty for the indoor farming sector, as there are a variety of external factors that could either increase demand or create further problems. Those indoor farming companies that do survive in the short term will find themselves well positioned to benefit from the challenges facing outdoor produce growers, both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, the sector should benefit from the three mega-trends of food security, sustainability, and health & nutrition, as well as demands from consumers looking for fresher, healthier, more nutritious foods, which is a hallmark of the indoor farming sector.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adam Bergman is a Managing Director at EcoTech Capital where he works at the intersection of technology innovation and climate change. Adam is a sustainability executive leader with over 25 years’ investment banking experience raising capital and executing M&A transactions. He also provides strategic advice and financial guidance to senior executives and boards on partnerships and growth strategies. As one of the first investment bankers to focus exclusively on the CleanTech sector, starting in 2005, Adam is recognized as a leading subject matter expert and is a frequent speaker at industry events and publisher of articles on sustainability.

Adam has built industry leading AgTech investment banking practices at Citi and Wells Fargo by creating a broad ecosystem to help drive adoption of technology and innovation throughout the food & ag value chain. Adam established the AgTech cohort for Wells Fargo’s innovation incubator (IN2), which was launched at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2018. He is a technology advisor to Western Growers Association, which represents local and regional family farmers who grow over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts. Adam also is a technology advisor for farmer-owned Landus Cooperative, headquartered in Ames, Iowa and SeaAhead, a bluetech startup platform in Boston, Massachusetts, whose mission is to support new, innovative ventures, with a focus on sustainability and the oceans.

Vertical Harvest Maine is Hiring!

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

New Indoor Farm in Westbrook Begins Inclusive Hiring Process

Greater Portland Maine Metro Area – January 30, 2025 – Vertical Harvest Farms, an indoor farming company focused on customized employment for people with disabilities, is excited to announce hiring in support of their new 51,000 square-foot hydroponic indoor farm in downtown Westbrook, Maine.

The farm is slated to begin producing 2.5 million pounds of fresh, leafy greens for New England consumers, the culinary community and local institutions later this year. And the company is especially excited to offer locally grown, nutritionally dense and radically delicious microgreens to the Maine community, believing that good can (and should) taste great.

Vertical Harvest is also unique for practicing customized employment, with a focus on fostering human potential and offering reasonable and appropriate accommodations for people with disabilities via its Grow Well employment model. Co-founder Caroline Croft Estay and team developed this one-of-a-kind program at its original farm in Jackson, Wyoming and has been evolving it since 2016. “We believe in the dignity of work, the power of community and that everyone deserves a fair shake at a meaningful career, growth and economic independence – which is not always accessible to people with disabilities.” says Croft Estay.

The company is currently fielding applications for their first round of hires – focused on farm leadership, operations, sales and marketing roles. Once the management team is in place, the second round of hiring will begin focused on filling the farm’s growing associates, packaging and fulfillment roles.

A list of open positions is currently available on its website. Interested applicants can sign up to be notified of future rounds of hiring as well as request any accommodations needed to support the application process. Of the milestone, CEO Nona Yehia says, “This moment is the culmination of years of effort and collaboration with our partners in Westbrook and the state of Maine. We aim to be a community farm that makes fresh, delicious produce radically accessible and where we’ve set a place at our table for everyone.”

About Vertical Harvest

Vertical Harvest is a hydroponic, vertical farming company dedicated to community-oriented farms, food and futures. In addition to their passion for local, healthy food grown sustainably, Vertical Harvest also operates on an inclusive, customized employment model with farms designed for accessibility and staffed via hiring practices developed to support meaningful employment for people with disabilities. For more information visit www.verticalharvestfarms.com and sign up for the newsletter or follow on socials at @verticalharvestfarms.

Trend Report – Indoor Ag-Con 2025

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Exhibitor News, Press Releases.

Indoor Ag-Con, the largest show dedicated to indoor agriculture, is the place to find the latest trends shaping the future of farming. Come March 11-12, farmers, growers, ag tech leaders, suppliers, advocates and enthusiasts will converge at Westgate Las Vegas to experience an expanded Expo Hall with 200+ exhibiting companies offering the most cutting-edge products, services and tools on the market.

Indoor agriculture has reached new heights, with innovative technologies and practices, helping pave the way for a sustainable future in food production. As the world faces increasing challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and urbanization, the indoor farming sector is stepping up to provide solutions to address these global issues. 

(Photos above from L-R: Thrive Agritech, VelociGro, Inc., ZGROUP USA, Priva)

Below are some of the trends shaping the indoor agriculture industry today and a selection of highlights from Indoor Ag-Con 2025 exhibitors.

Hydroponics Innovation

Hydroponics, the soil-free cultivation of plants using nutrient-rich water, has become a standard in indoor agriculture. Recently, innovations in hydroponic systems have improved plant growth rates and reduced water consumption. 

Just Vertical (Booth 1113) crafts and distributes state-of-the-art, sustainable vertical hydroponic farming systems, revolutionizing agriculture. The innovative systems empower growers, whether small-scale or large-scale, to cultivate fresh, nutrient-rich produce in any space. At Indoor Ag-Con, check out their NEW Just Vertical Grow Racks, Free-Standing Grow Racks redefine flexibility and efficiency in indoor agriculture, setting a new standard for accessibility and innovation. Unlike traditional systems that cater exclusively to experienced growers or specific scales, Just Vertical grow racks are designed to empower anyone—from beginners to seasoned professionals—on any scale. By optimizing vertical and horizontal growing spaces, our technology ensures that every inch of your operation works harder for you.

Concert Bio (Booth 841SZ-1) optimizes greenhouse crop performance‍ via the plant microbiome. They are using cutting-edge data science to identify and provide beneficial microbes to hydroponic growers – creating the ideal microbiome for their crops to thrive. Developing the ideal microbe products to enhance greenhouse crop performance. As agriculture transitions from traditional to hydroponic methods, recreating the delicate balance of microorganisms found in soil – and which plants need to thrive – has become essential for improving crop growth, quality and resilience. Their platform, developed for hydroponic greenhouses, leverages our unrivaled microbiome database to unlock a whole new level of understanding about the hydroponic microbiome and how to improve it.

Profile’s Growing Solutions (Booth 425) division offers a comprehensive portfolio of products that improve substrates and growing / soil blending operations. These product brands include HydraFiber engineered fibers; Profile Sphagnum Peat Moss and Profile Coconut Coir; Florikan controlled-release fertilizer; and a line of Quick Plug bonded media technology for propagation and food production. They now have a line of hydroponic solutions that includes HydraFiber + Coir grow bags and HydraFiber + Coir grow blocks – combining two leading substrates into one hydroponic solutions to service the CEA market with high-performing, cost-effective growing solutions. Profile will have the new hydroponic grow bags on display at Indoor Ag-Con.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices

As consumers increasingly demand sustainable food options, indoor agriculture has responded with environmentally friendly practices. The use of renewable energy sources such as LED lighting, solar and wind power is on the rise in indoor farming operations, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, many indoor farms now implement zero-waste practices, reusing water and recycling materials used in farming operations.

Thrive Agritech (Booth 533) is a recognized leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of advanced LED lighting systems specifically for the indoor agriculture market. By focusing on advanced technologies and energy efficient solutions, Thrive Agritech enables growers to optimize plant development, productively increase yields, and reliably reduce operational and maintenance costs. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by indoor agriculture operators, Thrive Agritech delivers on both lighting and power distribution solutions focused on lowering costs of production and maximizing profitability. Thrive Agritech’s commitment to innovation, energy efficiency, and superior customer service positions their company as a trusted partner for growers looking to capture the full potential of a lighting manufacturing partner. 

VelociGro Inc (Booth 631) offers patented technology to improve the environment by replacing traditionally wasteful agricultural methods, with gel based biodegradable and compostable grow plugs and mats. They nurture growth that’s not just better for plants, but better for our planet by: Increasing crop yields by up to 40%, Reducing water usage by an average of 30%, Cutting pesticide use significantly, promoting healthier food and ecosystems and helping indoor farms to create a truly “controlled environment” by using our substrates. They are debuting the HYPERroots FT seed starter plugs, HYPERroots FT Microgreen mats, and HYPERroots Liquid at Indoor Ag-Con.

Priva (Booth 525) is a leading technology company specializing in innovative solutions for sustainable horticulture and building automation. They empower growers with advanced climate, water, and energy management systems, optimizing greenhouse operations for increased productivity and resource efficiency. Their offerings include state-of-the-art climate controllers, crop registration tools, and data-driven insights to help businesses achieve sustainability and operational excellence. With a strong commitment to innovation, Priva partners with clients to shape the future of sustainable agriculture and smart environments. Priva will showcase showcase PIM (Priva Irrigation Management), a powerful tool that helps growers optimize irrigation strategies, ensuring precise water, nutrient, and energy use, at Indoor Ag-Con.

PathoSans (Booth 629) enables customers to produce effective and sustainable cleaning and sanitizing solutions, using just salt, water, and electricity. Through on-site generation, customers can not only produce the solutions they need, when they need them, but they can eliminate the need to bring harmful chemicals into their growing environment. They help put the ‘control’ in controlled environment agriculture. At Indoor Ag-on, they will showcase the newest and smallest on-site generator, the Concentrate Compact generator. This unit is wall-mounted and by producing concentrate, it offers the most flexibility in application possibilities.

Farm-to-Table Accessibility

The growth of indoor agriculture has resulted in fresher, locally grown produce, reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. Indoor farms in urban areas are creating farm-to-table solutions that allow consumers to access fresh and nutritious food grown within their communities. This trend is further supported by advances in logistics and supply chain technologies, ensuring faster delivery and reducing food waste.

ZGROUP USA (Booth 615) specializes in innovative modular refrigeration solutions, offering cutting-edge Cold Storage, Blast Chiller, Blast Freezer and Ripening technologies. With over 20 years of experience, ZGROUP enhances food safety, reduce waste, and promote sustainability. Their blast chiller, which optimizes the freshness of products from farm to table, features innovative forced air cooling system that ensures rapid and efficient cooling, preserving the quality and flavor of the food. This solution is designed for easy integration into farms or packing facilities and is essential for maintaining an effective cold chain. 

Based in Etten-Leur the Netherlands, TAKS Handling Systems (Booth 231) develop, make and assemble innovative packing hall solutions and transport systems that are both modular and custom-built. Their systems can process produce such as vegetables and fruits fast and efficiently and will save you a significant amount of labor. When it comes to the automation of your packing hall or logistic system, TAKS Handling Systems has the perfect solution for every situation. Discover our versatile modular products and interesting custom fit solutions.

Sormac Inc (Booth 1003) offers the best post-harvest solutions for indoor growing. Sormac leads the ways in developing process solutions for CEA-grown products. Whether you grow your product in a greenhouse or in a vertical farm of if you use hydroponics, aeroponics or aquaponics. All products are grown gently. This gentle treatment needs to be continued after harvesting so products will look defined in the shops where they battle for the attention of the consumer. Sormac’s proven systems help customers to deliver the highest quality product.

Robotics and Automation

The integration of Robotics and Automation in indoor agriculture is revolutionizing the way food is grown, with precision and efficiency at its core. Advanced robotic systems are being deployed to automate tasks such as planting, watering, pruning, and harvesting, significantly reducing the reliance on manual labor. Sensors play a crucial role by continuously monitoring key environmental parameters such as light, temperature, humidity, and soil moisture, providing real-time data for optimizing crop growth. 

Located in Europe’s leading robotics hub, Odense, Denmark, 4XROBOTS (Booth 1114) has developed the world’s first 4-armed collaborative delta robot. Designed for modern production environments in the horticulture sector, their robot aims to improve productivity and operational efficiency. The 4X robot is capable of speeds up to 1,000 mm/second while maintaining collaborative features. This combination of high speed and safety makes it ideal for quality-driven Pick & Place applications. The robot’s 4-armed mechanical design significantly extends its physical reach, providing a larger workspace and greater flexibility. Additionally, it features intuitive programming for fast implementation and remote system access for enhanced uptime and reliability. These innovations collectively set new standards in efficiency, reliability, and operational ease for collaborative robots. 

Rooted Robotics (Booth 1032) creates innovative automation solutions for vertical and indoor farming, specializing in affordable, modular systems designed to empower small and medium-sized growers. Their products, including tabletop seeders, harvesters, and washers, streamline labor-intensive tasks while boosting efficiency and yield. With a focus on flexibility, their machines can be integrated into fully automated workflows using groundbreaking L.I.N.C. (Linearly Integrated Networked Conveyors) technology. See the new L.I.N.C. seeder, harvester, and tray/NFT channel washer at Indoor Ag-Con.

Growbud (Booth 431) provides truly wireless grow medium sensors for indoor agriculture. The Growbud software platform enhances plant cultivation by providing real-time environmental monitoring, advanced analytics, and seamless integration with Growbud’s suite of sensors. The insights provided by the platform allow cultivators to dial in irrigation controls to increase crop yield. At Indoor Ag-Con, Growbud will be debuting the Growbud Dro and Vero substrate sensors.

For more information on the 2025 exhibitors, visit Who’s Exhibiting 2025 – Indoor Ag-Con

ABOUT:

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse |controlled environment agriculture. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. More information, visit www.indoor.ag

 

Up Vertical Farms Canada

Scaling New Heights: UP Vertical Farms CEO on Innovation and the Future of Canadian Farming

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog.

As pioneers in Canadian vertical farming, brothers Bahram and Shahram Rashti, Co-Founders of UP Vertical Farms, are redefining how leafy greens are grown and delivered. Together they have built one of Canada’s most innovative fully-automated, high-density vertical farms that merges sustainability, technology, and profitability to tackle food security challenges head-on. In this Q&A, CEO Bahram Rashti shares insights into UP Vertical Farms’ cutting-edge touchless growing methods, their key partnerships, and their ambitious plans to scale into the U.S. market. Readers can also hear directly from Bahram during the “Trends in Canada” panel at Indoor Ag-Con 2025, where he will discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Canada’s controlled environment agriculture industry.

From Dentistry to Vertical Farming: Your career shift from dentistry to agriculture is unique, and you co-founded UP Vertical Farms with your brother, Shahram. What inspired this transition, and how has your partnership shaped the company’s vision and success?

(L-R) Shahram and Bahram Rashti, Co-Founders, UP Vertical Farms

The transition from dentistry to vertical farming was definitely not a traditional one, but it was driven by a deep desire to make a more direct impact on people’s well-being and the environment. Dentistry provided me with an understanding of health and the importance of sustainable living, but over time, I realized that agriculture, particularly food security, was a space where I could contribute on a larger scale. The idea of producing fresh, healthy food in an environmentally sustainable way really resonated with me.

My brother, Shahram, and I have always shared a vision of creating solutions that improve people’s quality of life. We believe that we’re on this planet once and we should try to help solve a problem while we can. After much research, we concluded that the time would soon approach where relying on the current food systems alone would lead to supply shortages due to the adverse effects of climate change. We realized the gap in the market will be significant and grow steadily over time leading to a massive emerging market in vertical farming. That was about 10 years ago when we decided to prepare for this shift from outdoor production to indoors, which is not just a once in a lifetime but a once in history event – producing commercial scale vegetable production without the need of the sun. Our partnership in co-founding UP Vertical Farms has been instrumental in pursuing this vision — my foundation in science and systems combined with his expertise in technology and business has allowed us to build a company focused on innovation and sustainability. Our complementary skills have enabled us to scale effectively and stay true to our core values of growing affordable produce while balancing environmental responsibility.

Innovation and Sustainability: UP Vertical Farms emphasizes innovation and sustainability. How do your touchless technology and unique growing methods address food security and market demands while ensuring profitability?

Up Vertical Farms Canada Innovation and sustainability are the cornerstones of UP Vertical Farms. We design, build, and operate our plant factories in a turnkey fashion, which enables us to customize and build exactly what is needed for a fraction of the cost. Our touchless technology in CEA is a game-changer in the farming industry — it automates key parameters for irrigation, seeding, growing, harvesting, and packaging, in turn minimizing human intervention and reducing labor costs while also maintaining hygiene. This ecosystem technology helps us optimize resource use, reduce waste, and achieve consistent, high-quality yields all year round with 99% less water, nutrient fertilizers, and land compared to traditional farming.

Up Vertical Farms This not only makes our operations more sustainable in our 12-level industrial growing racks, but also more resilient to climate change, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. As a result, it allows us to significantly contribute to food security especially since our enclosed warehouse structures are closer to the regions we want to feed. Furthermore, deploying just -in-time production across our racks allows us to provide fresh, nutritious produce with longer shelf life to the market daily while reducing waste from overproduction. Therefore, our model is not just about sustainability; it’s also designed for profitability. Focusing on high density production, and by reducing overhead costs and waste, and ensuring a constant, predictable output, we’re able to offer competitive prices to consumers, and the market can’t seem to get enough of our crunchy tasty lettuce varieties and salad kits.

Building Partnerships: Partnerships have been critical to your growth—from collaborating with Oppy in your early stages to working with retailers like Costco. How have these relationships influenced your production, distribution, and business strategy?

Partnerships have been crucial to our success, both in terms of scaling and understanding market needs. Oppy, in the early stages, provided us with invaluable insights into the retail and distribution world, helping us refine our products and processes. Their experience in logistics and relationships with retailers allowed us to hit the ground running and reach a wider audience. Oppy understood our vision and the market opportunity from the very beginning, and they have been a great partner to align with to capture the increasing indoor grown leafy greens market in North America.

Up Vertical FarmsWorking with major retailers like Costco has also been a game changer. It’s given us the ability to scale our operations and ensure that we can meet consumer demand for fresh, sustainable produce at a competitive price. These partnerships push us to continuously improve our production systems and ensure quality control at every level, from farm to store shelf. Meeting and surpassing their stringent quality and value requirements has allowed us to grow our programs and become a trusted supplier all year round – not all vertical farms can currently fulfill both.

Our business strategy has always been to build long-term relationships, not just with retailers but also with consumers, ensuring that we’re providing them with the highest quality produce while contributing to local economies. Consumers appreciate quality and value, which is evident as we steadily gain more market share. The trust we’ve built with the different retail, financial, and distribution partners has allowed us to scale efficiently while keeping our core values of innovation and sustainability intact.

Scaling Beyond Canada: Your recent expansion into Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba is a big milestone. What strategies are you using to scale operations, and how do you plan to navigate entering the U.S. market?

Expanding into provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba has been an exciting milestone. Our strategy for scaling is rooted in replicating our core operational model but adapting it to the unique needs and taste profiles of each region. Our company has recently rolled out 12 tasty salad kit offerings which pair perfectly with our crunchy baby leafy greens. Providing this many unique and market classic salad kits by a Canadian company to retail stores is another market first which we are proud of. Canadians want to eat more locally grown, fresh, long-lasting, and pesticide-free vegetables, naturally making our products highly successful and in demand. We’ve built a strong understanding of consumer preferences, which allows us to tailor our salad kit offerings to retail partners across each province.

When entering new markets, whether domestically or internationally, it’s essential to form strong partnerships with regional and national retailers and ensuring that we’re not just meeting the market’s immediate needs but also contributing to its long-term sustainability goals.

 

Up Vertical FarmsAs for entering the U.S. market, our vision and strategy is quite long term as the American consumers are also searching for the high quality and value propositions which our products offer. We also plan to leverage the scalability of our touchless technology and our proven track record in Canada to demonstrate the viability of vertical farming as a solution to food security challenges in the U.S. We are in the process of establishing strategic partnerships with American retailers with the intention to eventually have local production facilities across certain states. This expansion will in part be fueled and accelerated by the capital raise that we are currently completing.

Future of Vertical Farming in Canada: As a pioneer in Canadian vertical farming, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for the industry’s growth in the country?

The future of vertical farming in Canada is incredibly promising. We currently import most of our fruits and vegetables across Canada with lettuce having one of the highest volumes. Even though Canada has a vast landmass and freshwater source, agriculture land is limited, and harsh seasonal climates do not allow for year-round field production of many staple crops. Vertical farming however offers a sustainable way to grow food close to where it’s consumed, reducing the reliance on long-distance transportation and always making fresh produce available. The demand for locally grown, pesticide-free, and sustainable food in Canada is only increasing, which presents a tremendous opportunity for vertical farming to fill that gap and help reduce the dependence on imports.

However, there are challenges to overcome. While the long-term benefits are clear, there can be a significant barrier to entry for new players. This is where partnerships, innovation, and government support will play a key role in driving the industry forward.

One of the challenges is that there is no ecosystem blueprint for new entrants to follow, and building the know-how and expertise in vertical farming can be very challenging and costly. Consumer education is another challenge. While vertical farming is becoming more well-known, there’s still a need to educate the public about the benefits of its sustainably grown produce. We have taken major strides in that direction with both partner retailers and government agencies, but continued collaboration across the industry will be critical. Other more talked about items include energy use, capital costs, and competition from existing field and greenhouse producers, all of which we have successfully managed.

Overall, I’m optimistic about the future of vertical farming in Canada. As the industry matures, we’ll see more innovation, cost reductions, and greater adoption, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient food system.

After almost a decade of R&D and experience, our team at UP Vertical Farms has mastered how to build and operate vertical farms to provide affordable, profitable, and high-quality leafy greens. We are setting the benchmark in Canada for successful vertical farming by having low CapEx and OpEx coupled with high density production and yield. It’s the same know how and expertise that we are applying to other vegetable production as we bring them indoors and grow vertical. This is just the beginning – the sky’s the limit.

Learn more about Up Vertical Farms by visiting their website.

And join us at Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, 2025 for the panel discussion with Bahram Rashti and other leaders:

Trends In Canada: Insights From CEA Growers Across the Nation
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM

 

 

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