Big Guns Coffee, a veteran and family-owned brand doing something new in the coffee space: building indoor hydroponic coffee farms. Unlike traditional coffee farming, which relies on soil, altitude, and climate, hydroponic coffee farms allow growers to grow coffee indoors using a nutrient-rich water system. With control over the precision of light, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels, Big Guns Coffee is replicating the world's best coffee-growing conditions year-round. Born out of a passion for coffee and the desire to build something meaningful with his daughter, Johnson founded Bigs Guns Coffee in 2021.
"I saw how much the U.S. depends on imported coffee and how climate change threatens traditional growing regions. That sparked the question: Why not grow coffee here at home? Hydroponics gave us the answer—allowing us to create America's first large-scale indoor hydroponic coffee farm," Johnson shares.
© Rebekka Boekhout | VerticalFarmDaily.com Charli seen in the farm
"Charli isn't just my daughter—she's the founder and the heart of this company. She named her own roast, Charli's Blend, which helps with branding, taste testing, and loves sharing our story. For me, it's about showing her she can dream big and build something lasting," he says.
Together, the team found a way to replicate the natural environment needed to grow coffee, which typically takes years to mature. The hydroponic coffee process uses precise technology, which includes advanced lighting, nutrients, and harvesting systems.
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