The early promise of vertical farming to reshape food systems has collided with harsh economic realities. While early ventures won headlines and high-profile investments, recent news revealed mounting losses, hampered by capital-intensive infrastructure, long payback periods, and limited product diversification.
For Kirk Siderman-Wolter, Co-Founder and Director of Take Root Bio Technologies, the root of the problem is clear. "Too many vertical farms have been built on an unsustainable business model," Siderman-Wolter says. "In much the same way that a healthy diet requires diversity to nourish the body, a resilient vertical farm needs multiple revenue streams to sustain its operations."
One crop, too many risks 
Today's commercial vertical farms rely on a single-crop system, typically leafy greens or herbs. These crops grow quickly in controlled environments and are easy to standardize. "There can be a focus on leafy greens like lettuce or basil and microgreens because they grow quickly with predictable yields," Siderman-Wolter explains. "But these crops are often selected based on modeling projections rather than market realities. When saturation or price volatility hit, the model collapses."
What's more, these facilities often require millions in upfront investment, without corresponding diversity in returns. "The combination of limited crop diversity and high fixed and variable costs make for a less viable business model, especially when customer preferences shift, supply chains are disrupted, or competition increases."
Modularity as a pathway forward
Instead of pursuing monolithic infrastructure, Take Root Bio Technologies is advocating for a modular, bio-circular approach. The idea: smaller, scalable units that can be adapted to different crops, climates, and communities. "We need vertical farms that function more like ecosystems than factories," says Siderman-Wolter.
"We approached the question of community food production from the perspective of an off-world farm," he continues. "What would a community-centric system need to support people? That led to our modular model, designed to produce a varied diet and support localized sustainability using bio-circular principles and integrated systems thinking."
In the company's framework, each module supports a different crop, ranging from berries and mushrooms to medicinal plants and dwarf fruit trees. Aquaculture is also part of the vision. This flexible approach enables farms to align production with local market needs and reduces systemic risk.
"By developing a modular system, we can reduce upfront investment and operational complexity. It allows growers to build incrementally rather than overextending with a massive build before the first harvest."
An exterior model of Take Root Bio Technologies modular farm
Lower cost, faster returns
The modular model isn't just about resilience, it's also about economics. Traditional farms may take six to ten years or more to break even. Siderman-Wolter argues that modular systems can shorten that to under two years.
"Our two-year projection is based on pilot site data and modeled projects. By focusing on high-margin crops, energy optimization, and strategic co-location, we've designed for lower capital outlay and faster returns."
"This dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for new operators," he adds. "It also unlocks access to more diverse investor profiles, including local stakeholders and impact-driven funds."
The goal is sustainability and scalability with real-world impact. "We believe this is how we build the next generation of vertical farms: flexible, local, and deeply aligned with both market needs and ecological principles."
For more information:
Take Root Bio Technologies
Kirk Siderman-Wolter, Co-Founder and Director
[email protected]
www.takeroot.bio