A partnership between the University of Sheffield and Farm Urban has secured UKRI funding to explore the future of underground food production at the STFC Boulby Underground Laboratory.
Located 1.1km underground in a working mine, this project will be the deepest vertical farm in the world, using the site's naturally stable environment to drastically reduce energy costs associated with heating and ventilation.
© Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield
Together, the team will test crop viability at a world-record depth, while also developing a model that could transform other disused UK mines into sustainable food hubs.
Launching in spring 2026, the 12-month study will combine cutting-edge commercial technology with the academic expertise of ISF Controlled Environment co-lead, Jacob Nickles, to de-risk and accelerate the future of underground agriculture - unlocking new potential beneath our feet.
Source: Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield
