As vertical farms search for stability in an unforgiving economic climate, the conversation is shifting. Many operators invested heavily in infrastructure, only to find themselves boxed in by narrow product portfolios. Kirk Siderman-Wolter, Co-Founder and Director of Take Root Bio Technologies, says the solution isn't more scale, it's smarter diversity. "Revenue diversification isn't just a hedge against risk, it's a growth engine," he says.
The vertical farming sector has long leaned on leafy greens for fast growth cycles and predictable conditions, but relying on a single crop type leaves farms exposed to market saturation and limited pricing power. According to Siderman-Wolter, true resilience starts with a broader product strategy. "Each module should be capable of supporting different crops, from berries and mushrooms to medicinal plants and dwarf fruit trees. Even aquaculture is possible." This modular approach, rooted in bio-circular design, enables farms to serve niche and seasonal demands, improving space efficiency and buffering against sudden market shifts.
© Take Root Bio Technologies
A visualisation of Take Root Bio Technologies' Diverse Growth Unit
Building new revenue layers
In a diversified model, revenue isn't just about fresh produce. Siderman-Wolter points to several parallel channels that can help vertical farms stabilize income and expand market reach:
- Direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales
- Partnerships with restaurants and grocers
- Farm-to-school programs
- Value-added goods such as teas, nutraceuticals, and powders
- Circular products derived from waste streams, like fertilizer, oil, or alcohol
"Our plans include converting food waste into additional products or uses. We've been in discussion with startups like BetaBugs and Natural Synergies who can use our waste streams to support wider on-farm production and reduce the use of natural resources."
This layered strategy aligns with circular economy principles and allows growers to design hyperlocal, regenerative food ecosystems. "When vertical farms reuse waste streams, optimize energy, and integrate community resources, they unlock new forms of value beyond traditional produce models."
© Take Root Bio Technologies
Take Root Bio Technologies' modular system supports high-value crops like mushrooms and shrimp, guided by Kirk Siderman-Wolter's circular design philosophy
Six pillars of a modular food ecosystem
Take Root Bio Technologies structures its modular farming model around six interconnected pillars that form the backbone of its AgriFood EcoSystem: Crop Tech, Plant Tech, Aqua Tech, CEA Tech, Smart/AI, and Waste-2-Worth. Each pillar addresses a different aspect of sustainable food production, from high-value terrestrial and aquatic crops to AI-enabled growing systems and circular waste reuse.
Combined, these components allow TRBT to support diverse crop outputs, optimize energy and labor inputs, and close resource loops. The result is a modular system that's scalable and efficient, and designed to meet full dietary needs while supporting local economic and environmental resilience. 
© Take Root Bio Technologies
Local ties, shorter paybacks
According to Siderman-Wolter, the benefits aren't only financial. Multi-crop vertical farms can also become embedded in the fabric of local food culture by hosting education programs, co-developing crops with nearby chefs, and earning trust through direct relationships. "Community-focused farms generate more than just revenue, they build loyalty. They're not just suppliers, they're collaborators."
From a business perspective, diversification also accelerates ROI. Instead of a multimillion-pound facility built upfront, modular systems allow growers to start small, test their markets, and iterate without financial overreach. "With modular infrastructure, we're seeing payback periods that are closer to two years, not ten. Our modular design is based on whole-diet principles, mimicking a mixed-use farm that integrates food, jobs, and community services."
© Take Root Bio Technologies
An exterior model of Take Root Bio Technologies' modular farm
A new economic architecture for vertical farming
If vertical farming is to move past its current bottlenecks, Siderman-Wolter believes it must embrace a new architecture, one that values ecosystem design over engineering alone.
"The future of vertical farming is modular, multi-crop, and mission-driven," he says. "We need to be building farms that align with both local demand and ecological principles. My personal vision is that vertical farming is the genesis of a new 'agri-tectural' revolution, where agriculture and architecture combine to create new and integrated communities."
For more information:
Take Root Bio Technologies
Kirk Siderman-Wolter, Co-Founder and Director
kirksw@takeroot.bio
www.takeroot.bio